New York Rangers defenseman Drew Fortescue is seen on the ice against the Florida Panthers in the first period at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Before the Rangers drafted Alberts Smits fifth overall last month, Drew Fortescue headlined the club’s defensive prospects. 

Last season, the Blueshirts were willing to burn a year of Fortescue’s entry-level contract to bring the defenseman to Manhattan at the conclusion of his junior season at Boston College in late March — just like they did with his Eagles teammate Gabe Perreault the year before. 

Fortescue, who turned 21 shortly after the Rangers season ended, held his own through his first nine NHL games. 

The entire experience, however, sent the Pearl River native into the offseason with a plethora of areas he wanted to focus on in his game.