Rangers prospects E.J. Emery, Drew Fortescue focused on development not NHL future: ‘it’s a man’s game’
As Vladislav Gavrikov put pen to paper, finalizing his seven-year, $49 million deal with the New York Rangers on Tuesday, two future Blueshirt blue-liners were lacing up their skates for the first day of on-ice sessions at prospects development camp. Though EJ Emery and Drew Fortescue, the organization’s top defenseman prospects, each will head back to college this fall, there could be a day not too far down the road when one or both will in the same Rangers defense corps as Gavrikov.
For now, they’re here in Westchester skating with other prospects — though 2025 second-round pick Malcolm Spence has been absent due to illness. Then Emery heads back to the University of North Dakota for his sophomore season and Fortescue goes up north to Boston College for his junior year.
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E.J. Emery ready for next step as Rangers prospect: ‘I always get better’
When the Rangers selected, Emery, a 6-foot-3, righty defensemen, in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft, they made it clear they drafted him with an eye on the future.
“It’s going to take time,” Rangers director of player perosnnel and amateur scouting John Lilley said that day in Las Vegas. “There’s no rush with him.”
The 19-year-old went to North Dakota and averaged close to 20 minutes a night as a true freshman, logging hard minutes on the penalty kill and regularly matching up against some of the best forwards in NCAA hockey. His defensive game held stead, but the offense never came. Emery finished with just one point in 31 games — an assist in his first game — the lowest single-season point total by a first-round NHL draft pick in NCAA history.
The lack of scoring says more about his usage than it does about his potential. Emery’s identity as a shutdown presence is clear, and he’s focused on the physical aspects needed to excel in that role at the next level.
“Yeah, I just realize, I gotta keep getting bigger and stronger,” he said Tuesday. “Because, you know, when you’re playing against 25-year-olds, it’s a man’s game.”
Emery explained that he added 10 pounds of muscle since he was drafted last year and plans to keep building on that over the summer as he trains alongside his college teammates.
“I was used to, you know, play[ing] my role, and obviously big PK. And, you know, playing against the first line,” Emery explained. “It was awesome. College hockey — something special.”
Emery spent last summer balancing development camp with combine prep and international competition. He cracked the preliminary roster for Team USA’s 2025 World Junior squad but was cut before the tournament began — a reality check that added to his motivation heading into his sophomore year of college.
“It just shows I got something to work on,” he said. “You always want something to work on. I always get better.”
Emery will return to North Dakota this fall with the goal of winning the NCAA title. As for the NHL, he’s not looking that far ahead yet.
“That’s not really my main focus right now,” Emery explained. “I’m gonna keep working just to get better each season. And, you know, it’s just focus on winning a national championship this year.”
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Rangers prospect Drew Fortescue ‘focused on my own path’
Fortescue, the Rangers’ 2023 third-round pick (90th overall), has built one of the most impressive defensive resumes in the system. The 20-year-old played a top-four role for the United States on back-to-back gold-medal winning teams at the World Junior Championship in 2024 and 2025. While fellow Emery was cut from the most recent team, Fortescue was a mainstay — logging heavy minutes, killing penalties, and playing the shut-down game that’s made him a legit NHL prospect.
That same defensive consistency was on display with Boston College this past season, when Fortescue continued to develop as a stay-at-him presence. He paired with Eamon Powell and thrived in tough matchups throughout his second season at BC.
“I guess, just for me, I try and be there and be able to help and close plays,” Fortescue explained. “No matter who I’m going against, just try and be hard to play against.”
Though several of his Eagles teammates have already turned pro, including top Rangers forward prospect Gabe Perreault, Fortescue said the choice to wait felt right.
“As of now, my plan’s to go back for my junior year,” he said. “I kind of talked to the front office a little bit, and I kind of just think that’s best for my development going forward.”
That development plan centers around physical growth.
“I think just kind of right now, I’m focused on getting bigger and stronger,” he said. “That’s kind of been my biggest focus going into next year.”
He’s working out at Prentiss Hockey Performance in Connecticut — the same facility many Rangers players have trained at for years– under the guidance of renowned trainer Ben Prentiss to get stronger without sacrificing mobility.
“I wouldn’t say there’s a set goal,” he added. “Just continuing to do that, trying to focus on it the best I can and see what happens.”
Fortescue knows there’s no shortcuts to the NHL. he’s watched teammates make the jump early, but remains confident in his decision.
“I think just kind of that patience, and being physically ready, is what I think is best for me,” he said. “It’s cool to see those guys make their debuts — I’m super happy for them — but I’m just focused on my own path”
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