Less than 24 hours after his sophomore season at Boston College concluded, made the leap to the professional ranks, signing a three-year contract with the New York Rangers.
Veteran star is widely regarded as the Rangers’ top prospect, is expected to practice with the team on and could make his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden against the Minnesota Wild.
He is selected by the Rangers as the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, is known for his impressive on-ice vision, awareness, and hockey IQ. He finished second among all NCAA skaters with 73 points this season and ranked third with 108 points over the past two seasons at Boston College.
Although it was expected that he would turn pro after his sophomore year, he initially announced his return to school in July following Boston College’s loss to Denver in the national championship game. He aimed to help the Eagles win the NCAA title this season. However, despite being the No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, Boston College lost to Denver 3-1 in the Elite Eight on Sunday, missing out on a second consecutive Frozen Four appearance. Perreault was scoreless in his final game with the Eagles but had scored a goal in their 3-1 win over Bentley in the regional opener on Friday—his 16th goal of the season.
Gabe Perreault finished the 2024-25 season as Boston College’s second-leading scorer with 48 points, leading the team with 32 assists and five power-play goals. Only Ryan Leonard, who also signed his entry-level contract with the Washington Capitals on Monday, had more points (49) than Perreault at BC this season.
The son of longtime NHL center Yanic Perreault, Gabe burst onto the scene as a freshman, ranking second in the nation with 41 assists and fourth with 60 points in just 36 games.
In addition to his strong play at Boston College, Perreault played a pivotal role in helping the United States win back-to-back World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025, marking the first time the U.S. has won the WJC in consecutive years. He recorded identical numbers in each tournament, tallying 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in seven games.
Gabe Perreault is intriguing option for Rangers down stretch this season
How Rangers coach Peter Laviolette chooses to utilize Gabe Perreault down the stretch will be intriguing to watch. The Rangers (35-32-7) are currently just percentage points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, making each of their remaining eight games crucial.
While it’s not an ideal time to experiment with a young player adjusting to the NHL, Perreault is widely regarded as a special talent. His skills could provide a much-needed spark for a Rangers team that has struggled recently, going 4-7-2 in their past 13 games. With the playoffs still within reach, Perreault may be the key to helping the Rangers seize the final playoff spot and secure their postseason berth.
If Gabe Perreault is going to be in the lineup, it would make sense for him to play a top-six role, given that his primary strength lies in his offensive talent. Pairing him with a skilled and rugged center like J.T. Miller seems like the logical move, possibly with either Will Cuylle or Alexis Lafrenière on the opposite wing. This setup could help create space for Perreault, who, while talented, is slightly built (5-foot-11, 178 pounds) and not yet a physical force at this stage of his development.
Perreault’s situation is reminiscent of another Boston College alum who joined the Rangers during their 2012 Stanley Cup Playoff run—Chris Kreider. Kreider, a 2009 first-round pick, won the national championship at BC, turned pro, and made an immediate impact, helping the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final, where they lost in six games to the New Jersey Devils. Like Kreider, Perreault could potentially provide a similar spark for the Rangers during their playoff push.
Chris Kreider had a strong postseason debut in 2012, scoring five goals and recording seven points in 18 games. At just 21 years old, he didn’t shy away from the big moments, scoring goals in each of the first three games of the Eastern Conference Final. However, it’s worth noting that Kreider faced challenges in securing a consistent role the following lockout-shortened season.
Now 33 and the longest-tenured player on the Rangers, Kreider will likely be a crucial mentor for Gabe Perreault this spring. Given his experience, Kreider will be there to help guide Perreault through the pressure of the NHL postseason, offering advice and support as the young forward looks to make an impact on the team’s playoff run.