NY Rangers College Prospects: Gabe Perreault continues scoring pace
The NY Rangers top college prospects continued to roll in the early going of November. All in all, nine players drafted by the Blueshirts were in action this past weekend.
Once again, the Rangers newest first-round pick Gabe Perreault highlights this latest update.
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NY Rangers College Prospects Update
Gabe Perreault, Forward and Drew Fortescue, Defense
Gabe Perreault was named New York Rangers Prospect of the Month for October, and continued his production to begin November.
On Saturday, Perreault found his name on the scoresheet multiple times, assisting on all three goals for the Boston College Eagles. His playmaking ability was on display during the powerplay as the Eagles scored their second goal of the game with a 5-3 man advantage. For the season, the New York Rangers 2023 1st Round Pick improved his totals to 1-10-11 in eight games. His ten assists are fourth-best in the NCAA scoring.
Teammate and fellow 2023 New York Rangers draft pick Drew Fortescue was scoreless during the two games, being called for an interference penalty on Saturday. The Eagles will travel to Orono, Maine for a series against the Black Bears.
Hugo Ollas, Goalie
In other Hockey East action, Hugo Ollas was in net on Friday as his Merrimack College Warriors faced the University of Maine Black Bears. The junior netminder stopped 20 of 22 shots against, and has 1-2 record with a 2.38 goals against average and a .905 save percentage on the year. Next weekend, the Warriors will have a series against the University of Connecticut Huskies.
Jaroslav Chmelar, Forward
Jaroslav Chmelar was held scoreless during the Providence College Friars 1-1 tie versus Vermont Catamounts on Friday. Providence gained an extra conference standings point with a 1-0 win during the shootout, while goaltender Philip Svedeback stopped all twenty shots against in a 2-0 shutout on Saturday. Chmelar leads the team with four goals and nine points in nine games played. Providence remains in the top spot of the Hockey East standings with nine points in four conference games played. The team will take on Northeastern University Huskies in their next series.
Hank Kempf, Defense
On Friday, I personally was in attendance at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, Connecticut to watch 2021 7th Round Pick Hank Kempf and the Cornell Big Red take on the Yale University Bulldogs. The New York Rangers prospect is being trusted with a leadership role this season on the blueline as he is being listed on the top pair with partner George Fergaras, a freshman and a 2022 third round selection of the Dallas Stars.
As for Kempf’s play, he was solid defensively with three blocked shots, and finished the game with a +2 rating in the 3-1 victory. I was encouraged to see him take a few chances in the third period, when he had three shots on goal from the point. The junior defender was called upon often for the penalty kill, and was out on the ice in the final minute of the game to protect a one-goal lead before the visitors sealed the victory with an empty net goal. Having seen the New York Rangers prospect live twice in 2023, I expect him to remain in the NCAA for his senior year. He has the defensive ability to skate professionally, but will need to contribute more offensively to earn an entry level contract to play in Hartford of the American Hockey League or in the National Hockey League.
Kempf had one assist, two blocked shots, and a +5 rating in a 7-1 victory against Brown University on Saturday. The Big Red will be at Dartmouth on Friday before hosting Harvard Crimson on Saturday. The team sits at 4-0-0 on the year, and should be a contender to win the ECAC this season.
Zakary Karpa, Forward
Captain of the Harvard Crimson, Zakary Karpa had one shot on goal while going 9-13 on faceoffs Friday night in a 4-4 tie against Princeton. On Saturday night, defending champion Quinnipiac University defeated Harvard 6-0. The junior center went 14-9 at the faceoff dot, and had two shots on goal while being called for cross-checking in the second period. The Crimson will be on the road next weekend, as they travel to Colgate on Friday before facing the Cornell Big Red on Saturday.
Brody Lamb, Forward
Brody Lamb and the Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs 5-1 on Friday. The sophomore was moved to right wing on second line, finishing the game with a +1 rating and two shots on goal. During Saturday’s 3-3 tie, Lamb had one shot on goal, and went 0-1 on faceoffs. Minnesota will take on Michigan twice in Ann Arbor on Friday and Saturday.
Noah Laba, Center
Noah Laba centered the top line for the Colorado College Tigers in a losing effort in the Battle for the Gold Pan against rival Denver Pioneers. The sophomore had two shots on goal, one blocked shot, and a -2 rating. He committed three minor penalties while going 4-10 on faceoffs. Saturday wasn’t any better for the Tigers, as they lost 5-1. Laba improved at the faceoff circle, finishing 9-8 on draws, but was held scoreless with no shots on goal and two blocks. After starting the season with five straight victories, the Tigers dropped to 5-3-0 overall, and will look to get back in the win column against the RedHawks from Miami Ohio.
Victor Mancini, Defense
Victor Mancini started at right defense for the University of Nebraska Omaha Mavericks on Friday night against the Western Michigan Broncos. The junior defenseman had one shot on goal, two blocks, and a -2 rating in the 5-2 loss. On Saturday, Mancini scored his first career NCAA goal at 4:20 of overtime in a 3-2 win against Western Michigan.
With the lack of defensive depth in the New York Rangers prospect pool on the right side, I expect the organization to make a push to sign Mancini at the conclusion of his collegiate season. He has the size at 6’4″ and 220 pounds to play professionally. Adding a bit of offense to his game will certainly help in his development. The Mavericks improve to 3-2-1 overall, and will host a pair of games against the Long Island University Sharks on November 10th and 11th.
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