Brennan Othmann is set to headline the New York Rangers’ rookie camp, which kicks off this Wednesday. The camp, which precedes the main NHL training camp next week, will see 25 prospects vie for attention in preparation for the upcoming season. This weekend, the Rangers’ rookies will face off against their counterparts from the Philadelphia Flyers in two games held at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the home of the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
As one of the most anticipated participants, Othmann will be under intense scrutiny. The 21-year-old forward, who was a first-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, aims to make a strong impression. Last season, Othmann scored 21 goals with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League (AHL), ranking him second on the team. Determined to prove himself, he enters the camp with a chip on his shoulder, feeling he must demonstrate his value as a true NHL prospect.
Recently, Othmann was ranked No. 130 by The Athletic on its list of top players and prospects under the age of 23. His puck skills, competitive drive, and shooting ability were rated above average, though his skating was noted as below average. Despite this, the Rangers remain high on him, considering him and Boston College forward Gabe Perreault as the top prospects in the organization. Perreault, who is in his sophomore year at Boston College, will not be participating in this rookie camp.
Othmann had a brief stint with the Rangers last January, playing three games. He previously scored 50 goals with the Flint Firebirds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during the 2021-22 season and was part of Canada’s gold medal-winning teams at the 2022 and 2023 World Junior Championships.
Several of Othmann’s teammates from the 2023-24 Hartford Wolf Pack will also be joining the rookie camp. Forwards Brett Berard, Adam Sykora, Adam Edstrom, Ryder Korczak, Bryce McConnell-Barker, Jaroslav Chmelar, Maxim Barbashev, Kalle Vaisanen, and Dylan Roobroeck will be present, alongside defensemen Victor Mancini and Matthew Robertson, and goalies Dylan Garand and Hugo Ollas.
Among these players, Edstrom has the most NHL experience. He scored two goals in 11 games with the Rangers last season and will be vying for a spot as the 12th or 13th forward on the opening-night roster. Berard, who had an impressive rookie season with Hartford, leading the team with 25 goals, is expected to compete for a bottom-six role with the Rangers but may start the season in the AHL.
Sykora, a 20-year-old forward and New York’s second-round pick in 2022, is another player to watch. He notched 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 66 games with Hartford last season and is likely to return to the AHL for more development.
Robertson, a 23-year-old defenseman, is entering his fourth professional season without having played an NHL game yet. This camp is crucial for him to showcase his readiness and potentially secure a role with the Rangers. Similarly, Mancini, who joined the Wolf Pack late last season after completing his college career, will be looking to build on his recent success.
In goal, Garand is a player to monitor. Entering his third season with the Wolf Pack, Garand has shown flashes of potential, particularly in the Calder Cup Playoffs over the past two seasons. A strong performance this year could position him as a contender for the backup role behind Igor Shesterkin if Jonathan Quick retires after this season.
Additionally, three of the Rangers’ four 2024 NHL Draft picks will be participating in the rookie camp. The only exception is first-rounder E.J. Emery, who has begun his freshman year at the University of North Dakota. Forwards Raoul Boilard (4th round), Nathan Aspinall (5th round), and Rico Gredig (6th round) will all be present, looking to make their mark.