Fortescue completed his collegiate career this past month, when his Boston College Eagles failed to qualify for the NCAA’s Frozen Four tournament. After his season ended, the native New Yorker quickly signed his entry-level deal with the Rangers, and made his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks where he picked up an assist in a 6-1 win. Fortescue is highly regarded within the organization, and after skipping the AHL altogether and heading straight to New York to close out the 2025-26 season, the lefty has a good opportunity to lock down a full-time role with the Rangers heading into 2026-27.

Fortescue, one of the Rangers’ top left-handed defense prospects, is entering his Junior collegiate season in 2025-26. He will return to Boston College in the NCAA after helping Team USA win another World Juniors championship earlier this year, marking the team’s second consecutive title. Fortescue logged significant minutes throughout the tournament and was heavily relied upon by coach David Carle. The Boston College Eagle has already established a reputation for being a player who steps up under the spotlight and continues to emerge within New York’s prospect pipeline. He will utilize his opportunity to play heavy minutes for the Eagles in 2025-26 before likely signing an entry-level contract after the season. The New York native is focused on gaining strength and continuing to refine his game, and he and the organization are fully aligned with his development path.

Like his Boston College teammate and top Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault, Fortescue recently appeared in his second straight World Juniors tournament for team USA, helping to capture a second straight Gold medal in the event. Though he didn’t record any points, Fortescue played a key role defensively and was on the team’s top defensive pairing. At Boston College this season, the lefty has appeared in 17 games, posting five points, all assists. Look for Fortescue to spend one additional season with the Eagles in 2025-26, before looking for an entry level contract with the Rangers.

Fortescue, New York’s third round pick in the 2023 draft, is in his Freshman season of NCAA hockey at Boston College. The left shot defenseman has posted five points in 23 games playing on the super-talented BC Eagles squad, loaded with NHL draftees, including fellow Rangers prospect Gabriel Perreault. Recently, Fortescue suited up for the United States team at the U20 World Championships in Sweden, where his team took home the Gold Medal. During the World Juniors, Fortescue posted four points in seven games, along with a plus- six rating, skating on the team’s second defensive pair.

The Rangers traded up one spot to select Fortescue in the 3rd round, giving up a 2023 7th round pick in the process. A local product, growing up in Pearl River, New York, Fortescue, a former Islanders fan, exclaimed that he was thrilled to be selected by his hometown team, albeit the chief rival Rangers. Growing up, the third round selection played with Rangers GM Chris Drury’s son on the Mid Fairfield Rangers, a youth team in Connecticut. Clearly, the team was knowledgeable about and comfortable with the player, and targeted him with their second draft selection. The left- shot defenseman will likely be in need of two to three seasons at the collegiate level before attempting to turn pro.

Rangers scouts advocated heavily to draft Fortescue, a player that they had seen on numerous occasions, and were obviously very high on. Those within the organization who scouted him are impressed by his defensive acumen, his ability to chip in with subtle plays in the offensive end, and the fact that he can play with a physical edge, as well. The Rangers’ brass took no chances having Fortescue land at pick number 90 with the rival Penguins, so they thought it worth a late round selection to trade up one spot to be in position to draft him. The American will join first round pick Gabe Perreault with the Eagles this Fall, and, like Perreault, is a former USNTP player who also played under new NYR assistant Dan Muse.