Chris Drury, the president and general manager of the Rangers, recently made a trade with the Flames, sending Brennan Osman and Jacob Battaglia in exchange for prospects. Interestingly, he learned about Battaglia’s trade while sitting next to Nathan Aspinall on the bus of the OHL Flint Firebirds.
In a moment filled with excitement, Battaglia leaned over to Aspinall and shared an Instagram post announcing his move to New York.
Aspinall, who is not only a fifth-round pick for the Blueshirts in the 2024 draft but also one of Battaglia’s teammates, was thrilled. “I gave him a big hug after that,” he recalled with a grin after participating in an on-ice prospect development camp session in Tarrytown last week.
Battaglia expressed his eagerness as well, saying, “I was so excited to see how far our journey would take us together and what the future holds.”
Nearly four months later, their last remaining linemates also joined the Rangers. The team selected Darian Anderson with the 163rd pick during the recent draft, marking a significant achievement for the Firebirds, following their most successful season in franchise history in 2025-26.
Immediately after learning about the draft pick, Aspinall called their coach, Paul Flache. “I just told him how great it was and texted him right away, saying, ‘I can’t wait to see you in a few days,’” Aspinall shared.
This week, all of them were on the ice at the MSG Training Center, aiming to make a strong impression on the Rangers’ management and player development staff.
Having each other for support during this critical time was a major benefit for the trio. It’s one thing to see familiar faces; it’s another to have teammates who’ve shared the rigors of a long season and the OHL playoffs. That camaraderie makes the experience unique.
“I think it’s great for all of us,” Aspinall commented. “Just seeing my linemate Darian, who was drafted this year, made me smile, and being at camp with them feels amazing.”
Aspinall and Battaglia are expected to embark on their first full professional seasons in Hartford, while Anderson has committed to Clarkson University for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Aspinall characterized the 19-year-old Anderson as a “varied” player who “works for everything he earns.”
The success of this trio with the Firebirds can be largely attributed to Battaglia’s shift to center. He transitioned from his usual winger position when he arrived in Flint from the Kingston Frontenacs.
“It was definitely a whole new world of hockey,” Battaglia noted. “I had never played center before, but it allowed me to use my speed better and attack more aggressively, instead of just hanging on the wall. I really enjoyed playing center, so I’m excited to continue with that.”
