Drew Fortescue’s NHL Debut Brings Back Memories

Almost a year ago, Drew Fortescue shared the ice at Madison Square Garden with his Boston College teammates, watching as fellow Eagle Gabe Perreault took his rookie lap ahead of his NHL debut. Fortescue had this moment of realization—perhaps, someday, it would be his turn.

That day came on Friday. Naturally, some of his friends from BC made the trip to support him.

“That’s what you dream about,” he reminisced about those days last April. In his first NHL game, the 20-year-old defenseman notched his first assist during the Rangers’ 6-1 victory over the Blackhawks. “Watching Gabe’s debut was amazing. He’s one of our best friends, so we all rushed to cheer him on. Then there was Ryan Leonard, who played in Boston the night before, and we went to see his first game with the Capitals. It turned into quite a memory for us.”

“Being there for your friends on their first game is just really special,” he added. “I know some were there just for the game, but it’s a thrill to witness these moments.”

Fortescue skated in front of a “lot” of friends and family, their cheers echoing as he took his rookie lap and when his name was called out for his assist on Johnny Brodzinski’s second goal. Since signing his entry-level contract last weekend, he has expressed how fortunate he feels to kick off his career so close to his roots.

“After the game, I went to the bench and just took a moment to look around. I saw my cousins, family, even my parents in the stands. It was unbelievable—a memory I won’t forget,” he said.

When asked why now was the right time to have Fortescue enter the lineup, head coach Mike Sullivan mentioned he wanted the rookie to get some ice time during limited practice sessions, focus on individual coaching from David Quinn, and review some game footage first.

Fortescue became the sixth rookie to debut for the Rangers this season, playing alongside Matthew Robertson on the third defensive pair. Sullivan reflected positively on Fortescue’s performance, saying, “He handled himself well. He played with composure. He didn’t just throw the puck away; he made solid outlet passes. For such a young player, I think he really stepped up.”

This season, the Rangers have seen six rookies debut, with three joining in just the past week.

Fortescue is now part of the rookie group alongside Adam Sikora, Dylan Garland, Jaroslav Schmeller, Brendan Brisson, and Noah Laba. While Robertson is also seen as a rookie, he’s 25 and had his debut just before last season ended, appearing in 63 games thus far this season.

“We’re doing everything possible to support these young players,” Sullivan said. “We pair them with experienced teammates who can guide them on the ice. They have a ton of energy and enthusiasm. Sure, they’ll make mistakes, but we’ll work through those.” He acknowledged that gaining real experience is essential for their development.