Othmann, Perreault Lead Surging Rangers Prospects

The New York Ranger's 2021 and 2023 first-round draft selections had outstanding first weeks of January.

The New York Ranger's 2021 and 2023 first-round draft selections had an outstanding first week of January. 

After Tyler Pitlick suffered a lower-body injury in their 6-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Jan. 2, top prospect Brennan Othmann was recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. 

The Rangers' 16th overall pick in 2021 made his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, Jan. 4, playing well in a bounceback 4-1 win on Madison Square Garden ice. 

The 21-year-old winger recorded five shots on goal in 12:26 minutes. 

When Blake Wheeler sat in the penalty box following a fight, the youngster got a taste of playing on the top line, skating alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

Gabriel Perreault, the Rangers' 23rd overall pick down in Nashville this past draft, won the World Junior Championship gold medal with Team USA on Saturday night after defeating Sweden 6-2. 

The 18-year-old right winger scored three goals, adding a shootout goal, with seven assists for ten points, earning three points in the championship game. 

Perreault, who is a freshman at Boston College with five goals and 20 assists in 17 games, broke records with the USNDTP because of his incredibly offensive accent. 

He recorded 132 points in 63 games with the United States U-18 team in 2022-2023. 

Despite being at different points in their careers, Othmann and Perreault keep in touch regularly after briefly crossing paths at Rangers development camp this past summer. 

"It was only for a few days, but we became good buddies," Othmann said. "I talk to Gabe almost every day, not even about hockey stuff. Just about life and asking for advice now and then. I was playing juniors and stuff like that too."

As for what stands out to Othmann regarding Perreault's game, it's his hockey sense. 

"[He's got a] Really high IQ," Othmann said. "I think that people underestimate his shot as well. I think he's got a good shot. But I think his passing is off the charts. It's next level, the plays that he's made at the college level.

"He can find seams and find lanes like the best of them. I think his biggest assets are his hockey IQ and his passing, but I think people underestimate his shot a little bit too. He's got a sneaky good shot, so I'd be excited for him to start using that."

Although the two prospects are just three years apart, Othmann wants to be a leader and a sounding board for Perreault and other prospects, like 2023 third-round pick Drew Fortescue. 

"I feel like I can help them along the way, and I'm excited to play with them in the future," Othmann said. "We don't know when and don't know how many years that could be, but I'm excited to play alongside them in the future." 

A sharpshooter in Othmann and a playmaker in Perreault are the stuff of hockey fans' dreams. 

For now, Perreault returns to Boston College to chase a national championship, and Othmann will continue his open-ended NHL stay.