Top Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault records 1st pro point in AHL debut
Sure, Gabe Perreault would’ve preferred if his first point as a professional hockey player took place with him wearing a New York Rangers sweater. But the organization’s top prospect likely is pretty happy nonetheless after picking up an assist for Hartford of the American Hockey League on Saturday.
The 20-year-old forward was pointless in five games with the Rangers last spring after he signed his entry-level contract following the completion of his sophomore season at Boston College. Perreault nearly made New York’s opening-night roster last week after a strong preseason, when he had four points, including two goals, which tied for the team lead.
The Rangers assigned to Perreault to Hartford, believing he’ll benefit more by playing big minutes in every game situation in the minors. He was in the Wolf Pack’s starting lineup, on a line with veterans Trey Fix-Wolansky and Justin Dowling, in their AHL opener against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Saturday.
And it wasn’t long before Perreault was on the score sheet. He earned the primary assist on Hartford’s first goal of the season, an even-strength tally by Fix-Wolansky at 10:43 of the opening period. It ended up being Hartford’s only score in a 2-1 loss.
Perreault took a hooking minor 25 seconds into the third period and managed one shot on goal in his AHL debut.
He wasn’t the only former first-round pick (2023) to contribute Saturday. Brennan Othmann (2021) had the other assist on the Fix-Wolansky goal, though he was held without a shot on goal.
The Rangers will have eyes on each of their key prospects at Hartford — forwards Perreault, Othmann, Brett Berard, and defenseman Scott Morrow — this season. Berard, who had 10 points (six goals, four assists) in 35 games with the Rangers last season, led the Wolf Pack with four shots on goal Saturday. Morrow was one of three Hartford players with three shots in the opener.
Gabe Perreault, Noah Laba make it good day for Rangers organization
Ironically, on the same night Perreault recorded his first pro point, another key youngster also landed on the score sheet. However, Noah Laba one-upped Perreault on two levels Saturday. Laba’s first point of the season was his first in the NHL, in the Rangers’ 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. And Laba added another assist in that one, for a two-point night.
Laba won the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award as the top rookie in Rangers training camp, edging out Perreault. The 22-year-old center led the Rangers in preseason scoring with six points and landed the 3C role thanks to his strong two-way play. A three-year standout at Colorado College, Laba played 11 games with Hartford on an ATO late last season, and had five points (three goals, two assists).
He’s already a big part of New York’s bottom-six group, one that contributed nine points (two goals) to the road win in Pittsburgh.
The Rangers hope that Perreault may soon join Laba in the NHL, building the base of a youth movement. Saturday looked to be a sign of good days ahead.
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