Brennan Othmann named New York Rangers top rookie in camp, off to fast OHL start

Anthony Scultore Updated: Oct 9, 2022

The New York Rangers announced that top prospect Brennan Othmann was named the winner of the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award as the top rookie in Training Camp as selected by the media.

First presented in 1988, it honors the memory of Lars-Erik Sjoberg, who was the chief European scout with the Blueshirts for eight years. He passed away at the young age of 43 after battling cancer in 1987.

Othmann registered two assists in two preseason games to earn the award. Both his assists came in the Rangers first exhibition game against the Islanders. He was named first star as the Blueshirts picked up a 4-1 win.

Brennan Othmann named top rookie in camp

new york rangers brennan othmann — Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

Othmann, 19, was selected by the New York Rangers 16th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He’s quickly risen to the top of the organization’s prospect pool after scoring 50 goals and 97 points for the Flint Firebirds in the OHL last season.

The dynamic winger followed that up by winning Gold with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship this past August. In the tournament, he registered 6 points in 6 games and showed versatility by playing on the top line and fourth line.

“I’m confident with my game and I’m confident with the strides I’ve taken,” Othmann said at Rookie Camp. “Im excited to play two games this weekend and to get to the main camp. I was able to skate with the pro guys this past weekend and I’ll carry that confidence going into camp.”

Thanks to an outdated CHL agreement with the NHL, he was ineligible to be sent down to the AHL which took away any flexibility from the Rangers to keep him around. According to the rule a player must be at least 20 years-old or competed in four season of junior hockey before they can be assigned to any NHL minor league affiliate.

“It was great. I learned a lot valuable pro tips that I can bring back here to junior hockey,” Othmann said after being cut. “I kept up with the speed, it’s just the little details. I wanted to go in there and make the team but I knew I wasn’t going to because of their roster right now.”

So far this season, Othmann has 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points in 4 games. He’s tied for second in OHL goal scoring.

Next training camp, the biggest issue the Rangers will have is which of the two lines he should play on?