Pearl River Puckaholic Defies Superstitions, Embarks on New Era with NY Rangers
Fortescue's rookie season with the Rangers has been marked by his strong play, good chemistry with teammates, and overall growth as an NHL player. His journey from Pearl River to the big league is a testament to perseverance and belief.
GREENBURGH — Drew Fortescue of Pearl River has always had a unique way of playing ice hockey. He's not burdened by superstitions or the pressure to win big games; instead, he believes in hard work and dedication. This philosophy has caught the attention of both his New York Rangers coaches and teammates.
The 20-year-old Pearl River native signed a three-year contract with the New York Rangers on March 31 after Boston College saw its championship hopes evaporate against UConn in the Hockey East semifinals. Fortescue, who is 6-foot-2 and 194 pounds, made his NHL debut on March 27 when the Rangers defeated Chicago 6-1. Since then, Fortescue has been making an impact on the team with his play.
He's assisted once in his first game but has also seen a lot of ice time, contributing to the Ranger's hot streak. The Rangers are currently 33-36-9 and have won five games since their rookie's NHL debut. Despite being drafted at Boston College, Fortescue sees it as an opportunity rather than a dream.
He was quoted saying, 'I always dreamed of playing here but never thought I'd really see it happen until recently. Now that I'm here, I feel like things could be possible. ' The Rangers coach, Mike Sullivan, believes in the young player's potential and praised his puck possession, vision on the ice, and decision-making skills.