NY Rangers College Prospects: 2023 top draft picks power BC
The NY Rangers top college prospects continue their positive upward trend in post-Thanksgiving action.
At the forefront were New York’s top two 2023 selections, Gabe Perreault (1st Rd, 23 overall) and his teammate Drew Fortescue (3rd Rd, 90 overall). Both kids helped lead the Boston College Eagles to a nice weekend.
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NY Rangers College Prospects Update
Gabe Perreault, Forward and Drew Fortescue, Defense
Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue found themselves on the scoresheet on Friday afternoon as the Eagles travelled to Notre Dame to face the Fighting Irish. Perreault showcased his passing ability as he found linemate Ryan Leonard for the first of two first period primary assists. The freshmen have incredible chemistry which has carried over from their time together with the National Team Development Program. Perreault also added his third goal of the season with the Eagles on a two-man advantage in the second period.
Fortescue also joined in on the offense, scoring his third goal of the season in the second period when he skated down from the point and buried a shot from just outside the right faceoff circle.
Boston College would go on to defeat the Fighting Irish 6-1 on the road Friday before taking on the Harvard Crimson on Sunday. Gabe Perreault’s point streak would come to an end, as he was limited to just one shot on goal in the contest. He sits at 20 points (three goals and seventeen assists) through 14 games, leading the team. His seventeen assists are third best in the country. Boston College will host city rival Northeastern on Friday night before visiting Matthews Arena on Saturday.
Zakary Karpa, Forward
Harvard’s captain Zakary Karpa returned for the Crimson for Sunday’s contest after missing one game due to injury. He scored Harvard’s lone goal in the second period, deflecting a shot past Jacob Fowler, which was upheld after review.
Karpa had been off to a slow start on the year, so it is nice to see him get going, especially after missing Friday’s game. The junior center missed time last season, being limited to only 22 games. An encouraging sign for the Rangers’ 6th Round Pick in 2022, was his faceoff prowess as he went 17-6 on draws. Harvard will face a pair of ECAC opponents next weekend, as they travel to Clarkson University on Friday, December 1st and St. Lawrence University on Saturday, December 2nd.
Jaroslav Chmelar, Forward
2021 5th Round Pick Jaroslav Chmelar skated in an NHL facility this weekend as his Providence College Friars visited Mullett Arena to take on the Arizona State University Sun Devils. The right winger had a secondary assist in two games and leads the Friars with 14 points (5 goals and 9 assists). The team is off until December 9th, when they face Boston College at Chestnut Hill.
Hugo Ollas, Goalie
Staying in Hockey East, 2020 7th Round Pick of the New York Rangers Hugo Ollas improved his record to 3-3 on the season with a 2.55 goals against average and .913 save percentage after stopping 19 of 22 shots against in a 4-3 victory for the Merrimack College Warriors versus Bentley in the “Turkey Leg Classic”. The Warriors are now 6-6-1 overall and will have a tough opponent in Boston University on December 1st and 2nd.
Hank Kempf, Defense
Madison Square Garden was the venue for “Red Hot Hockey” on Saturday night when Hank Kempf and the Cornell Big Red defeated Boston University 2-1. The junior defenseman was dropped to the third pair on Saturday, and was held scoreless with five blocked shots. Not known for his offense, Kempf only has one goal in 72 total games played in his NCAA career. The 2021 seventh-round pick is likely a longshot to be signed to a professional contract by Chris Drury. Cornell has a home and home series this upcoming weekend against the Colgate Raiders.
Victor Mancini, Defense
After not scoring his first two years with the University of Nebraska Omaha, Mavericks junior defenseman Victor Mancini now has two goals on the year. He had a secondary assist on Friday when the team wore black jerseys in a 2-1 victory over Augustana University before finding the back of the net on Saturday. “Moose” was just outside the blueline and threw the puck into the offensive zone before a bad bounce went into the net in the first period.
Mancini now has two goals and three assist for five points in twelve games. Omaha improves its record to 8-3-1 and will travel to Duluth, Minnesota December 1st to take on the Bulldogs.
Brody Lamb, Forward
Sophomore forward Brody Lamb has showcased his versatility this season, finding himself all over the lineup for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He has played all three forward positions, while skating on each of the top three lines. He was held scoreless in a 3-3 tie against Michigan State on Friday while adding an assist Sunday in a 6-5 overtime win to bring his season totals to six goals and five assists for eleven points in fourteen games played. The Golden Gophers will be in University Park, Pennsylvania this weekend to face the Penn State Nittany Lions.
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