GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/36f34393-58d5-4c2b-a85d-064aeda2789e.jpeg] GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK The New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] have selected left winger Malcolm Spence with the 43rd overall pick in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft. Spence has spent the past three seasons in the Ontario Hockey League with the Erie Otters where he’s served as an assistant captain. This past season [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtE_uHFC7r8] Spence recorded 32 goals, 41 assists, and 73 points in 65 games. Many analysts predicted the 18-year-old forward to be drafted in the first round including The Athletic’s Corey Pronman [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6453437/2025/06/27/nhl-draft-mock-2025/] who projected Spence to be selected with the 30th overall pick. “He’s a tenacious worker who wins a ton of battles and gets too many pucks due to his length, speed and effort,” Pronman wrote. [http://www.mynhldraft.com/2025-nhl-draft/player-profiles/Malcolm-Spence] “He comes back hard and is a great two-way forward. Spence has good offensive skills and sense and can create chances with pace, but I wouldn't call him a dynamic or overly creative player with the puck.” Spence stands at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds as he uses his size to his advantage. It’s Spence’s hard-nosed style of play that stands out about him. “Malcolm Spence is a two-way forward who plays an aggressive forechecking game with adept defensive skills, logging significant time on both special teams,” Gordon Munro of Recruit Scouting wrote. [https://thehockeywriters.com/malcolm-spence-2025-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/] The Post-Draft Fallout And Other NHL Meanderings [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/840fa2fd-320a-48e2-88f3-700bae892560.jpeg] The Post-Draft Fallout And Other NHL Meanderings <b>1.</b> There actually is a bright side to the Rangers doing nothing in the First Draft Round. Over the years the Blueshirts have scored big in the lower rounds. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/the-post-draft-fallout-and-other-nhl-meanderings] “The Otters’ forward may not have the dynamic offensive abilities of some of the higher-end players in the draft but he has consistently produced well on the international stage amongst some of the best players in his age group. His game has many great qualities that coaches will love and his versatile skillset should make him an attractive option to NHL teams.” This upcoming season, Spence is expected to play at the University of Michigan.
