Rangers signing Boston College star Drew Fortescue to entry-level contract
Drew Fortescue is turning pro.One day after the Boston College season ended with a loss in the Hockey East Tournament, Fortescue, the star Eagles defenseman and a top defensive prospect for the Rangers, signed his entry-level deal with the Rangers and is reporting to New York, the team announced.Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.
The Pearl River, N.Y.native was the Blueshirts’ third-round pick in 2023, and by burning the first year of his three-year deal — something that former BC teammate Gabe Perreault also did at the end of last season — this year, Fortescue can appear in games with the Rangers the rest of the season.
Fortescue collected four goals and 14 points across 36 games this season while skating on the top defensive pairing, and he finished his collegiate career with eight goals and 33 points in 112 games.Fortescue took a patient approach to his professional career, opting to return to the Eagles for another season instead of turning pro — like Perreault did — after last season.He talked to the Rangers’ front office, Fortescue said during the Rangers’ development camp last summer, and they decided that it was best for his development.
After collecting four goals and eight points during his freshman season, and then zero goals and 11 assists his sophomore year, Fortescue delivered a career-best campaign that included tallies in consecutive games to open the year.“Right now I’m just focused on getting bigger and stronger,” Fortescue, who attended Perreault’s Rangers debut at the Garden last year and will now get to make his own, told reporters during the summer.“My plan is to continue to work on that and be ready for the following year.”That vision has now turned into his reality.
He’ll become the latest jolt of youth in the Rangers’ lineup this season, which has included Perreault getting extended time on the f...