NY Rangers Prospect Report: Mid-Season Report (2025-26)

With the first half of the 2025-26 season over here is a look the 11 New York Rangers prospects playing in North America.

 The Dominant Performers

1. Nathan Aspinall (LW) – Flint Firebirds (OHL)

• The Stat Line: 32 GP : 22 G | 29 A | 51 Pts

• The Scoop: If there is one “must-watch” prospect in the system right now, it is Aspinall. The captain of the Firebirds, the towering 6-foot-7 winger has taken a massive leap in his post-draft year. He is currently on pace for 100+ points—a rare feat for a player of his size. The current scoring leader in the OHL.

• The Review: He isn’t just using his frame to screen goalies; he is driving play. His 22 goals lead his team, and his recent “OHL Player of the Month” honors cemented his status as a legitimate NHL prospect. The Rangers may have found a massive steal in the 5th round.

2. Malcolm Spence (LW) – University of Michigan (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 20 GP | 7 G | 5 A | 12 Pts

• The Scoop: The Rangers’ 2nd round pick (43rd overall) in 2025 was one of the first beneficiaries of the massive NCAA rule change this past August, allowing CHL players to join college programs. Spence wasted no time trading his Erie Otters jersey for Michigan Maize and Blue.

• The Review: Transitioning from the OHL to the NCAA as a freshman is difficult, but Spence has been a “man on a mission.” He plays a high-motor, power-winger game that coaches love. 12 points in 20 games as a true freshman in the Big Ten is impressive production. He looks like a future middle-six staple who drags teammates into the fight.

Steady & Stable

3. E.J. Emery (D) – North Dakota (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 15 GP | 2 G | 2 A | 4 Pts

• The Scoop: Do not let the low point totals fool you. Emery is playing major minutes as a Sophomore for a powerhouse North Dakota team.

• The Review: The Rangers drafted him for his skating and shutdown ability, not his offense. He has been a rock defensively, killing plays before they start with his gap control. If he makes the World Junior roster (USA) later this month, watch how easily he skates the puck out of trouble.

 

4. Drew Fortescue (D) – Boston College (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 16 GP | 3 G | 6 A | 9 Pts

• The Scoop: Now a Junior at BC, Fortescue has evolved into a reliable two-way defender.

• The Review: His game is maturing perfectly—he is physical, blocks shots, and is now chipping in offensively with a smart first pass. He looks like a pro-ready third-pairing defenseman who could sign as soon as his college season ends.

Solid Contributors

5. Brody Lamb (RW) – University of Minnesota (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 19 GP | 9 G | 10 A | 19 Pts

• The Scoop: The “Old Man” of the group, Lamb is wearing the ‘C’ for the Gophers in his Senior year.

• The Review: He is scoring at a point-per-game pace. Lamb has always been a pure goal scorer, but his playmaking has improved significantly this year. He will likely join the Hartford Wolf Pack immediately after the NCAA tournament for a playoff push.

 

6. Raoul Boilard (C) – Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

• The Stat Line: 29 GP | 7 G | 16 A | 23 Pts

• The Scoop: After a summer trade sent him from Baie-Comeau to Shawinigan, Boilard has settled in as a top-line pivot for the Cataractes.

• The Review: His production is solid, but his value is in his 200-foot game. He wins faceoffs, kills penalties, and plays a mature style that translates well to pro hockey. He projects as a safe, bottom-6 center.

7. Ty Henricks (LW) – Western Michigan (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 16 GP | 7 G | 6 A | 13 Pts

• The Scoop: Another giant winger (6’5″), Henricks is breaking out in his Sophomore season.

• The Review: Henricks is finally using his size to his advantage in front of the net. Scoring 7 goals in 16 games is a great sign that his hands are catching up to his frame. He is a long-term project, but the “power forward” potential is becoming real.

The Wildcards

8. Artyom Gonchar (D) – Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

• The Stat Line: 29 GP | 8 G | 11 A | 19 Pts

• The Scoop: The 2025 3rd-rounder made the jump from Russia to the OHL this season—a bold move that is paying off.

• The Review: 8 goals from the blue line in your first 29 games in North America is excellent. He has adapted to the smaller ice faster than expected. He is raw defensively, but the offensive instincts are elite.

 

9. Sean Barnhill (D) – Michigan State University (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 16 GP | 0 G | 3 A | 3 Pts

• The Review: The 6-foot-6 freshman is still finding his footing in the NCAA. He is playing limited minutes on a deep Spartans team. This is a development year for him; don’t worry about the stats yet.

10. Evan Passmore (D) – Barrie Colts (OHL)

• The Stat Line: 30 GP | 1 G | 0 A | 1 Pt

• The Review: A defensive specialist through and through. Passmore plays a simple, physical game. His upside is limited offensively, but he provides toughness on the back end.

Lost Season

11. Rasmus Larsson (D) – Robert Morris University (NCAA)

• The Stat Line: 5 GP | 0 G | 0 A | 0 Pts

• The Review: It has been a tough start for Larsson after transferring from Northern Michigan. He has struggled to crack the lineup consistently at RMU. He remains a “project” pick who needs to find his confidence.