New York Rangers best Third Round draft picks of all-time
The New York Rangers have selected 556 players to date at the annual NHL Entry Draft, which began in 1963. Forever Blueshirts continues its series of articles looking at the franchise’s best picks from rounds 1 through 7.
Historically, New York has drafted 65 players in the third round, with 32 appearing in an NHL game and 24 suiting up for the Blueshirts. Interestingly, the club’s first third-round pick was Mike Cummins (15th overall) in the 1963 NHL Amateur Draft, and their most recent one was Drew Fortescue (90th overall) in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Join us each week to see who makes the cut.
Note: Dates and statistics from Hockey-Reference.com and EliteProspects.com were used to compile this list.
Related: Rangers make be shopping for two centers
Top New York Rangers Draft Picks From Round 3
5. Rob Zamuner – 45th Overall 1989
NHL stats: 798 GP – 139 G – 172 A – 311 Pts
New York stats: 9 GP – 1 G – 2 A – 3 Pts
Rob Zamuner was the 45th pick in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, making his debut during the 1991-92 season, which he sandwiched between two outstanding seasons (155 points) with the Binghamton Rangers in the AHL. His time on Broadway was short, just nine games. He signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1992, eventually becoming the franchise’s third captain.
After skating with the expansion Lightning for seven years, he moved on to the Ottawa Senators and Boston Bruins, finishing his NHL career in 2003-04. During the NHL Lockout in 2005, he went to Europe to play two seasons in Switzerland, Italy, and Great Britain before retiring from professional hockey in 2006. Internationally, he won a World Championship Gold Medal in 1997 with Team Canada.
4. Dominic Moore – 95th Overall 2000
NHL stats: 897GP – 106 G – 176 A – 282 Pts
New York stats: 322GP – 31 G – 50 A – 81 Pts
Dominic Moore was the 95th pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, debuting at 23 during the 2003-04 season. After playing at Harvard and winning two NCAA (EACA) Championships, he skated in five NHL games while playing most of the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack. While staying in the AHL during the lockout, he became a full-time member of the Rangers in 2005-06.
Eventually, New York traded him to the Nashville Predators in 2006 for Adam Hill. After that, he played in Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Toronto, Buffalo, Florida, Montreal, Tampa Bay, and San Jose before returning to the Rangers for a second tour. He won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2013-14 while playing in the Stanley Cup Final. He would finish his NHL career with Boston and Toronto (again) before heading to Switzerland for a couple of games, retiring in 2019.
3. Don Luce – 14th Overall 1966
NHL stats: 894GP – 225 G – 328 A – 553 Pts
New York stats: 21GP – 1 G – 3 A – 4 Pts
Don Luce became a Rangers prospect through the 1966 Amateur Draft as the 14th pick. After starring with the Omaha Knights in the CHL, he debuted in 1969-70 and played 21 games with the Blueshirts before venturing off to the Detroit Red Wings. Starting in 1971-72, he played 10 years with the Buffalo Sabres, finishing his NHL career with brief appearances with the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs.
During his career, Luce won the Masterton Trophy in 1975, the same year he played in the NHL All-Star Game. Upon retiring, he joined the Sabres scouting department, serving as the club’s Director of Player Development from 1987 to 2006. Eventually, he moved on to the same role with the Philadelphia Flyers, finishing his career as a scout for the Maple Leafs in 2016.
2. Mike McEwen – 42nd Overall 1976
NHL stats: 716 GP – 108 G – 296 A – 404 Pts
New York stats: 242 GP – 42 G – 92 A – 134 Pts
Mike McEwen is New York’s best third-round pick, joining the franchise as the 42nd overall selection in the 1976 NHL Amateur Draft. After 242 games on Broadway, he was traded to the Colorado Rockies, returning to the Empire State, where he won three Stanley Cup titles with the New York Islanders in 1981, 1982, and 1983.
Once his time in New York ended, McEwen skated with the Kings, Washington Capitals, Red Wings, and Hartford Whalers while rejoining the Rangers for 16 games in 1985-86. When his time in the NHL ended in 1987-88, he played parts of four seasons in Switzerland, where he led the league in goals by a defenceman on two occasions. During his final season of professional hockey, he skated in 51 games with the New Haven Nighthawks in the AHL.
1. Pavel Buchnevich – 75th Overall 2013
NHL stats: 482 GP – 151 G – 224 A – 375 Pts
New York stats: 301 GP – 79 G – 116 A – 195 Pts
Pavel Buchnevich came to the Rangers organization when they selected him with the 75th pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, making his North American debut during the 2016-17 season. After getting drafted, he stayed in his native Russia, splitting time between the KHL (senior) and MHL (junior) leagues and earning back-to-back medals at the U20 World Junior Championships.
During the first five years of his NHL career, he skated with the Blueshirts, collecting 195 points in 301 games before a trade to the St. Louis Blues on July 23, 2021. In exchange for Buchnevich, the Rangers received Sammy Blais and a second-round pick in 2022. While in New York, he produced at a 0.64 point-per-game average, and in just three seasons with the Blues, he’s bumped that number up to 0.98.
What makes Buchnevich number one is the fact he’s in his prime and his stats will continue to go up.
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