Director Of Player Development Speaks Highly Of New York Rangers Top Offensive Prospect
Photo credit: Peter Wreschinsky/Erie Otters
Malcolm Spence was the first Erie Otter added to the organization during the 2025 NHL Draft. The team would later acquire Carey Terrance during the Chris Kreider trade. With the dynamic duo, the team is setting itself up for success with this 43rd overall pick in 2025.
The New York Rangers added forward Malcolm Spence of the Erie Otters, 43rd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft.
While the forward would be projected as a 1st-round pick, he'd slip into the 2nd-round, giving the Rangers a chance at the speedy forward.
He'd served as the Otters' Alternate Captain this past season and padded his stats with a nice 73 points (32-41) in 65 games in the OHL.
Malcolm Spence: His Speed Stood Out
According to the director of player development, Jed Ortmeyer, he felt that his speed was what stood out to the Rangers.
"His speed is a weapon," Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said via NHL.com. "His skating ability too. He's tenacious with the puck. He's been able to produce at the junior level. I think it'll be a good spot for him to develop."
He'll be continuing his career in the NCAA, joining one of the best hockey programs in the country, as a Michigan Wolverine.
«I know to play in the NHL, you have to be physically ready,» Spence said. «Maybe there are parts of my game skill-wise that may be ready, but physically I'm not. I know going to Michigan is going to give me more runway time. For me to jump in as an impact player, that's what I want to do.»
The Rangers won't see Spence suiting up in a Blueshirt right away, as they feel like his best chance of development is by staying in the AHL with the Hartford Wolfpack for a season or two before he makes the leap.
He'll join Carey Terrance in the AHL, and they could make good on that chemistry they developed in the OHL and help each other along the way.
«I'm really excited that they took a chance on me and believed in me when a lot of the other people didn't,» Spence said. «So I'm really excited to get to New York City and get to work.»
For now, the Rangers have another steal from the 2nd-round the 2025 NHL draft.
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