Drew Fortescue

July 2023  The Rangers traded up one spot to select Fortescue in the 3rd round, giving up a 2023 7th round pick in the process. A local product, growing up in Pearl River, New York, Fortescue, a former Islanders fan, exclaimed that he was thrilled to be selected by his hometown team, albeit the chief rival Rangers. Growing up, the third round selection played with Rangers GM Chris Drury’s son on the Mid Fairfield Rangers, a youth team in Connecticut. Clearly, the team was knowledgeable about and comfortable with the player, and targeted him with their second draft selection.  The left- shot defenseman will likely be in need of two to three seasons at the collegiate level before attempting to turn pro.  

Rangers scouts advocated heavily to draft Fortescue, a player that they had seen on numerous occasions, and were obviously very high on. Those within the organization who scouted him are impressed by his defensive acumen, his ability to chip in with subtle plays in the offensive end, and the fact that he can play with a physical edge, as well. The Rangers’ brass took no chances having Fortescue land at pick number 90 with the rival Penguins, so they thought it worth a late round selection to trade up one spot to be in position to draft him. The American will join first round pick Gabe Perreault with the Eagles this Fall, and, like Perreault, is a former USNTP player who also played under new NYR assistant Dan Muse. Brendan Ferry