As the New York Rangers push for their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearance, management remains focused on the future. The team signed defense prospect to a three-year entry-level contract. He follows center prospect Noah Laba, who inked his entry-level deal lately.
The Rangers acquired top star as part of a blockbuster trade with the Vancouver Canucks In the deal, New York received forward J.T. Miller, defenseman Erik Brannstrom (who was later traded to the Buffalo Sabres), and top veteran in exchange for a conditional first-round pick, center Filip Chytil, and defenseman Victor Mancini.
He turns 21 on April 13, recently wrapped up his junior season at Northeastern University, where he served as an alternate captain. He recorded a career-high 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 37 games, led the team with 73 blocked shots—ranking ninth in the nation—and finished second among Northeastern defensemen in scoring.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman had a standout performance on Nov. 23, tallying a season-high three points (one goal, two assists) in a 4-2 win against Boston College, which featured Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue. He also notched an assist in his final game, a 4-3 double-overtime loss to Maine in the Hockey East semifinals.
Over 105 career games at Northeastern, Dorrington recorded 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists), including six goals in 2023-24, when he was named the team’s Unsung Hero.
Jackson Dorrington joins fellow Rangers prospects with Hartford in the AHL
The Canucks drafted Jackson Dorrington in the sixth round (No. 176 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft. Before his college career at Northeastern, he played for Des Moines in the USHL and represented the United States at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Dorrington will now join a veteran-heavy defensive group in Hartford, where Matthew Robertson is the only other blueliner widely considered a prospect. The Wolf Pack have nine games remaining in their regular season schedule.
The Rangers’ top two defense prospects remain in college. There’s a possibility that Drew Fortescue could turn pro after his sophomore season with Boston College, which is currently competing in the Frozen Four. However, 2024 first-round pick EJ Emery is expected to return to North Dakota for his sophomore year to continue his development.
Meanwhile, center prospect Noah Laba made an immediate impact in his pro debut with Hartford, scoring a goal last Friday against Hershey. He was held scoreless in a 2-1 overtime win against Milwaukee on Saturday. The 21-year-old had three strong seasons at Colorado College and is considered a key piece of the Rangers’ future at center.
Hartford’s schedule continues with road games against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday and Providence on Saturday.