Drew Fortescue is popping professional.
One day after the Boston College season ended with a loss within the Hockey East Tournament, Fortescue, the star Eagles defenseman and a high defensive prospect for the Rangers, signed his entry-level take care of the Rangers and is reporting to New York, the staff introduced.
The Pearl River, N.Y. native was the Blueshirts’ third-round choose in 2023, and by burning the primary 12 months of his three-year deal — something that former BC teammate Gabe Perreault also did on the finish of final season — this 12 months, Fortescue can seem in video games with the Rangers the remainder of the season.
Fortescue collected 4 objectives and 14 factors throughout 36 video games this season whereas skating on the highest defensive pairing, and he completed his collegiate profession with eight objectives and 33 factors in 112 video games.
Fortescue took a affected person method to his skilled profession, opting to return to the Eagles for one more season as an alternative of turning professional — like Perreault did — after final season.
He talked to the Rangers’ entrance workplace, Fortescue stated throughout the Rangers’ improvement camp final summer time, they usually determined that it was greatest for his improvement. After gathering 4 objectives and eight factors throughout his freshman season, after which zero objectives and 11 assists his sophomore 12 months, Fortescue delivered a career-best marketing campaign that included tallies in consecutive video games to open the 12 months.
“Right now I’m just focused on getting bigger and stronger,” Fortescue, who attended Perreault’s Rangers debut on the Garden final 12 months and can now get to make his personal, informed reporters throughout the summer time. “My plan is to continue to work on that and be ready for the following year.”
That imaginative and prescient has now became his actuality. He’ll change into the most recent jolt of youth within the Rangers’ lineup this season, which has included Perreault getting prolonged time on the primary line. Mike Sullivan anticipated Dylan Garand — their high goaltending prospect — making his NHL debut this week, too. And finally, the Rangers’ blue line will embody Fortescue, who skated on a pair of Team USA groups that received gold medals at World Juniors in 2024 and 2025.
— The Post’s Mollie Walker contributed reporting
