BREAKING: Rangers top prospect explodes in return from injury
Rangers’ top prospect, Gabe Perreault, made a triumphant return from a month-long injury on Friday night, showcasing his skills in a remarkable performance for Boston College.
In Boston College’s dominant 8-1 victory over UMass, Perreault, the 23rd overall pick of the 2023 NHL Draft, made a significant impact by contributing four points, including two goals and two assists. His pivotal goal ultimately secured the win for his team, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rivalry clash against Boston University in the upcoming Hockey East Championship game on Saturday night. The game is scheduled to commence at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
Reflecting on the significance of the championship game, former Rangers assistant and current BC head coach Greg Brown emphasized the team’s determination to compete for every trophy available. Brown highlighted the importance of seizing the opportunity and expressed the team’s commitment to giving their all in pursuit of victory in the championship game.
Rangers prospect Gabe Perreault returns in a big way
What an extraordinary season the 18-year-old from Hinsdale, Illinois is experiencing as a freshman at Boston College. Despite nursing an undisclosed injury, Perreault’s exceptional performance earned him a spot on Hockey East’s All-Rookie team on March 13. He was among three unanimous choices, alongside teammate Ryan Leonard and Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini, for this prestigious honor.
Gabe goes five-hole for his second on the day 😮💨
📺 @NESN-Plus
💻 https://t.co/5s2DsDrbpC pic.twitter.com/C41IPRkxZR— BC Men's Hockey (@BC_MHockey) March 22, 2024
Following his stellar showing against UMass, Perreault elevated his scoring statistics to 54 points (17 goals, 37 assists) in 31 NCAA games this season. Remarkably, he ranks among the most productive under-19 prospects in the last 30 years, boasting an average of 1.74 points per game, which places him alongside notable names like Adam Fantilli (1.81) and Jack Eichel (1.78).
It’s no surprise that numerous teams expressed interest in Perreault ahead of the recent NHL trade deadline on March 8. However, any discussions involving Perreault’s name, as well as fellow forward prospect Brennen Othmann, were promptly halted by Rangers management.
Despite the attention from NHL teams, Perreault remains focused on the present task at hand. He acknowledges the Rangers’ interest but underscores the importance of concentrating on the immediate objectives.
The most productive U19 NCAA seasons in the last 30 years:
Adam Fantilli: 1.81
Jack Eichel: 1.78
*Gabe Perreault: 1.74
*Will Smith: 1.72
*Macklin Celebrini: 1.67
Jaden Schwartz: 1.57
Zach Parise: 1.56
Brian Gionta: 1.55
Logan Cooley: 1.54
Danny Heatley: 1.47Pretty good company.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) March 22, 2024
If Boston College emerges victorious in Saturday’s Championship game, Perreault will add yet another remarkable accomplishment to his already impressive list for the season. This includes his significant contribution to the United States’ Gold medal triumph at the 2024 World Junior Championship in Sweden, where he tallied 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games.