Liam Greentree's junior hockey career ended with a playoff loss as the Windsor Spitfires fell 5-4 in overtime to the Kitchener Rangers. The 20-year-old prospect is now set to transition to professional hockey after signing his entry-level contract with the New York Rangers.
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New York Rangers prospect Liam Greentree can turn his eyes to the pros after his time junior hockey career ended Friday night. Greentreeās team, the Windsor Spitfires, couldnāt hold an early three-goal lead and lost 5-4 in overtime to the Kitchener Rangers on Friday night in Game 5 of the Ontario Hockey Leagueās Western Conference Final.
The 20-year-old Spitfires captain had an assist on the gameās first goal. Windsor lost the series 4-1 after sweeping the first two rounds.
Greentree was the centerpiece of the Feb. 4 trade that sent Artemi Panarin, the Rangersā top scorer in each of the previous six seasons, to the Los Angeles Kings. The Rangers received Greentree, LAās first-round pick (No. 26 overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, as well as a third-round pick in the 2026 draft. He already signed his entry-level contract, and whether itās with Hartford of the American Hockey League or with the big club on Broadway, weāll get a better grasp on what Greentree can be moving forward, beginning at development camp after the draft in late June.
Liam Greentree's team, the Windsor Spitfires, lost 5-4 in overtime to the Kitchener Rangers, ending their playoff run.
Greentree was traded to the Rangers as part of the deal that sent Artemi Panarin to the Kings, making him a key prospect for the team.
Greentree will begin his professional career at development camp after the NHL Draft in late June.
The Rangers received Greentree, a first-round pick (No. 26 overall) in the 2024 NHL Draft, and a third-round pick in the 2026 draft.
Tobias Harris scored 30 points, including 19 in the first half, leading Detroit to victory in Game 7 against Orlando. Cade Cunningham also contributed significantly, extending the lead in the second half.
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In 52 OHL games this season, Greentree put up a team-leading 74 points (38 goals, 36 assists). That came after he piled up 49 goals and 119 points in 64 games with Windsor in 2024-25, his post-draft season. Being able to put the puck in the net the way Greentree showed he could do in the OHL is an encouraging sign, and though heās likely to start next season with Hartford, donāt be surprised if he earns some time with the Blueshirts as well.
Greentree capped his final junior season with a surge after the Rangers acquired him, putting up 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in Windsorās final 17 regular-season games andĀ earning OHL Player of the Week honorsĀ for the week ending March 1.
He continued to produce in the OHL playoffs, finishing with 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 13 games.
At 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, Greentree has a solid frame and should be ready for the physicality of pro hockey. If Greentree continues to progress, he should be in the mix to get some playing time in the NHL in 2026-27.
Greentree is also one of the four finalists for the Mickey Renaud Captainās Trophy ā awarded to the OHL team captain who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice. He claimed the Renaud trophy last season and can become the first player in league history to take home the award twice.
In March, he was No. 47 among theĀ top-50 NHL prospects in TSNās rankings. He was the lone Ranger in the listing, which included only players who are in juniors, the minor leagues and Europe.
Jess Rubenstein fromĀ Prospect ParkĀ provided Forever Blueshirts the following scouting report on Greentree after the trade:
āGood size ā¦ going to remind people of Jamie Benn with his creativity. Solid playmaking ability, but skating needs improvement, and on the defensive side. Good news is he creates his own offense. Bad news is he is projected to be a middle-six forward, not a first-line player.ā
The biggest areas Greentree needs to improve are his skating and play in his own zone. His first step and acceleration must get better, and in the defensive zone, heās sometimes beaten on plays he should be able to close out. Improving in those areas will be key as he moves into the pros.
Aside from his on-ice skills, he brings a leadership background. Greentree was 18 when he was named captain in January 2024. He fits the Spitfiresā lineage of leaders the Rangers know well, fromĀ Adam GravesĀ toĀ Will Cuylle.
If Greentree can pair those leadership skills with quicker feet and more reliable defensive habits, he could become a solid regular for the Rangers in the not-too-distant future.
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