Defensemen
Matvei Shuravin
A big, mobile defenseman with some real two-way effectiveness but struggles mightily in transition.
Alfons Freij
A great skating, defensive quarterback that can impact all three zones. Has the upside to be a number 3 puck-moving defenseman.
Charlie Elick
Big, mobile right-handed defensive defenceman with a great foundation of gap-closing tools. Offense is relatively limited, but projects as a number 4 penalty-kill specialist.
Tarin Smith
Intelligent two-way defenceman with a budding offensive game. Improvements in his skating could see him become a reliable second-pairing blue-liner.
Harrison Brunicke
Smart two-way defenceman with solid mobility, polished habits and flashes of a growing offensive game. Production is unimpressive, but the tools scream second-pair, do-it-all blue-liner.
Carter Yakemchuk
Big, daring offensive defenceman with great range and tools. Decision-making and habits are still quite raw, but has number 2/3 D and top power-play upside.
Rasmus Larsson
The 19 year old Larsson, listed at six foot three and 203 pounds, is a sturdy, puck-moving defenseman with an accurate shot. Larsson will spend the 2023-24 campaign with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL, and then will be on to the NCAA for the 2024-25 season. Drafted as an overager, Larsson will need plenty of development time over the course of the next few seasons, as he attempts to earn himself an NHL contract. Luckily for Larsson and the Rangers organization, the club holds his signing rights until August 15, 2028. If it all comes together for Larsson, he can become a big, bruising bottom-four NHL defenseman.
Ville Heinola
An offense-minded defenseman with top-four upside who can run a powerplay unit. An excellent skater but needs to get stronger to improve in the defensive zone. Undersized, which limits his ability to play a physical game. Provides very little in the hits and blocks categories.
Michael Kesselring
A big strong defenseman who's has some underrated offense to his game.