During the NHL draft’s second day on Saturday, the Rangers significantly bolstered the left side of their defensive roster.
Out of the nine draft selections this weekend, the Blueshirts focused on strengthening their defensive line by picking five left-shooting defensemen. Following the selection of Alberts Smits on the first day, the Rangers added four more players to this position throughout the second day.
The Rangers wrapped up the second round by selecting Benjamin MacBeath from the Western Hockey League at pick number 64 and followed with Charlie Morrison from the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League at the 77th overall spot.
“I am experiencing a whirlwind of emotions,” MacBeath expressed during a Zoom interview. “Leading up to the draft was quite stressful, but getting drafted by a prestigious team like the Rangers is incredibly relieving. Being able to share this moment with my family has been wonderful.”
At only 18, MacBeath is set to join the University of Denver next season, playing under the leadership of David Carle, a three-time NCAA champion coach. He committed to the Pioneers at age 15, citing the team’s outstanding coaching, successful history, and proximity to his family as key factors in his decision to pursue an NCAA path.
Describing himself as a two-way defenseman, MacBeath touted his ability to move up and down the ice and join the rush. He said he looks to create shooting lanes on the blue line and can close spaces quickly with his edges.
Rangers director of player personnel and amateur scouting John Lilley cited the department’s best-available-player philosophy for the influx of left-handed defensemen.
“Sometimes it’s just the way the list falls,” Lilley said. “This year it certainly seemed a little D-heavy anyway. And we ended up with those left-shot ‘D,’ but it was the way the list went and to deviate from it, and jump six, seven spots — because a lot of times players have been taken in between — just kind of goes against what you’ve tried to build the entire season with your list.”
The Rangers also added size to their D-pool with Andre Mondoux in the sixth round (162nd overall). Mondoux is slated to return to the OHL next season before heading to Notre Dame in the fall of 2027.
Just three picks after MacBeath, the Rangers selected goalie Danai Shaiikov at No. 67 out of the QMJHL. Amid the expected departures of netminders Hugo Ollas and Talyn Boyko, who combined for just seven games for the Wolf Pack, team president and general manager Chris Drury needed to strengthen the goalie depth.
Right now, the organization has Igor Shesterkin, Dylan Garand, Spencer Martin and Callum Tung.
“Scott Clemmensen, who is our goalie scout, really valued this young man [Shaiikov] in Gatineau,” Lilley said. “He’s athletic. He’s very competitive. He doesn’t give up on pucks, and he had a lot of work this year. … He’s a battler with a lot of skills and quickness and I know Scott really pushed and really wanted him.”
After taking Morrison at No. 77, the Rangers went with Slovakian center Tomas Chrenko.
“I’m a playmaker,” Chrenko said. “I love to make plays. I love to pass to my teammates. I love to score. I’m a creative player and I have a high hockey IQ.”
The Rangers selected another forward at pick No. 102, adding left wing Spencer Bowes.
Last season with the Ottawa 67’s of the Ontario Hockey League, Bowes set a new career high with 23 goals and 42 points in 67 games. Quick feet and a high-end pace highlight Bowes’ skill set.
At No. 163, the Rangers took right wing Darian Anderson out of the OHL. Last season with the Flint Firebirds, Anderson played alongside Jacob Battaglia, whom the Rangers acquired from Calgary in exchange for Brennan Othmann and their 2024 fifth-round pick Nathan Aspinall.
In his first 60 OHL games, Anderson posted 20 goals and 45 points.
“I think we checked a lot of boxes and got a lot of players that our scouts are passionate about,” Lilley said. “It’s, a lot of times, a two-year process watching these young men as underagers right through this year. I’m really excited and I know the guys in the room worked extremely hard.”