How Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault, Drew Fortescue performed at the 2024 World Junior Championship
Team USA defeated Sweden, 6-2, on Thursday afternoon to take home the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, and among their top performers were Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue.
The Boston College products dominated throughout tournament play.
Perreault helped make up one of the squad’s top-performing lines, playing on the left wing alongside some familiar faces in his long-time linemates, Will Smith and Ryan Leonard.
The 18-year-old put his talent on full display and showed he has what it takes to perform on the big stage.
Perreault became the first Rangers draft pick since JT Miller in 2013 to record seven assists throughout tournament play. His 10 points also tied the franchise-best mark set by former first-overall pick and rising winger Alexis Lafreniere.
He was named USA’s Player of the Game after putting up three points (one goal, two assists) in the quarterfinal win over Latvia. He also added an assist to spark a semifinal comeback and then opened the scoring and picked up two more helpers in Thursday’s gold medal game.
The first-round pick, who has also been spectacular during his freshman season with BC, is looking like he could be a steal for New York.
Fortescue also recorded a point in the gold medal win, sending a terrific pass through the neutral zone to winger Isaac Howard, who buried the go-ahead goal on a breakaway midway through the second period.
The 18-year-old defenseman from Pearl River, NY recorded four points (one goal, three assists) over the seven tournament games.
Between the rising young talent hitting the ice with the big-league team and the developing core throughout the system, the future is certainly looking bright for the Blueshirts on Broadway.
