Drew Fortescue of Pearl River lives NHL dream for hometown NY Rangers

GREENBURGH — He's a kid with no superstitions. There's no internal mandate to tie one skate first or to never wash an undershirt during a winning streak.

Rather, he lives by one unshakable belief: That hard work will lead to better things.

Drew Fortescue won't be able to legally enjoy an adult beverage until later this month, but his mature approach to ice hockey has captured the attention of both his New York Rangers coaches and teammates.

The 20-year-old Pearl River native signed a three-year contract with the New York Rangers a day after his Boston College team saw its championship hopes vanish in an overtime loss last month to UConn in the Hockey East semifinals March 20 in Boston

Since appearing in his first NHL game March 27 — a 6-1 win over Chicago-- the young, 6-foot-2, 194-pound defenseman has made his presence known.

Fortescue had an assist in that game and while he didn't register a point in the five that followed, he saw lots of ice time in each and has been part of a an all-too-rare Ranger hot streak.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Pearl River native and NY Rangers rookie Drew Fortescue at practice

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Drew Fortescue part of a youthful boost for the Blueshirts

The Rangers, 33-36-9 overall through April 7, are 5-1 since Fortescue's first game with them. Fortescue is a plus-6 in goals scored vs. goals allowed while he has been on the ice.

The Rangers, who were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs March 25, are taking long looks now at several young players in anticipation of next season.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan has voiced his support for the youngster, a junior at BC, who plans to return to the school to complete his spring semester classes after the Rangers' season ends April 16.

Tuesday, at the MSG Training Center, it was hard to distinguish Fortescue's level of play from that of teammates much older and much more seasoned.

Fortescue, who's grateful he's so close to his family home in Pearl River that he can stay there and visit with family and friends in his downtime, isn't taking this brief introduction to NHL play for granted.

"Growing up, you dream of being here and playing here, but I don't think I ever saw it as a reality or ever thought it was really going to happen probably up until I got drafted," Fortescue said after practice on April 7. "That's when I was like, 'Wow, this could really happen.' So, it's something I've always dreamed of my whole life, but I don't know I'd say I always knew it was going to happen. But it's been cool now that I'm here."

Pearl River native and New York Rangers rookie defenseman Drew Fortescue photographed during practice at New York Rangers training facility in Elmsford on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

What's the next step for Drew Fortescue?

It seems likely Fortescue will start next season with the Rangers' top minor league club, the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack.

Sullivan hasn't spoken about the Rangers' plans for Fortescue, but has expressed the general belief that young players thrive more on the NHL level after gaining experience in the minors, where they can not only build on their skillset, but also work to gain added strength and speed without the possibility of being "overwhelmed" on the NHL level.

Still, nothing appears cast in stone and Sullivan has applauded his young player's "puck poise," vision on the ice and decision-making.

".... I like the fact that he's trying to play smart hockey," Sullivan said, citing, in part, the defenseman's ability to start breakouts with tape-to-tape passes.

"He doesn't just play safe hockey. He plays smart hockey. He doesn't play reckless hockey," he said.

Fortescue also has a fan in Braden Schneider, the 24-year-old Rangers defenseman, who also broke in with the club as a 20-year-old and has been paired in recent games with Fortescue.

Echoing some of Sullivan's thoughts, Schneider said, "I think he's really poised with the puck. He makes good outlet passes and reads plays really well. ... I've been really impressed with how he has come along."

Asked about what Fortescue should do to enhance his chances of making the club next fall, Schneider said he was offering a "classic" answer in saying, "Get a little bit bigger and a little faster."

He added having once been that 20-year-old Rangers defenseman, his advice to Fortescue would be to keep approaching things "day by day," and, "Don't take a day for granted."

Fortescue doesn't seem to be doing the latter.

His rise from playing for New Jersey's Don Bosco Prep and the Mid-Fairfield Rangers high-level youth team to being part of the USA Hockey development program and winning multiple gold medals at the U-18 World Championships and U.S. Junior World Championships, was a steady progression.

He points to his international play as key in his development.

"Obviously, I'm very fortunate to be on those (USA) teams and be able to play with all those great players," Fortescue said. "Representing USA Hockey. is one of the best things in the entire world — being able to represent your country — so, I'm very grateful for those opportunities and kind of that experience playing at the world stage," Fortescue said. "You play against the best kids in your age group and I think our team having success and not just me, myself,, kind of gives you confidence going forward."

While not appearing overmatched, Fortescue acknowledged the speed and precision of the NHL game had taken him a bit by surprise.

"The plays that all these guys are making. Every little play is on someone's tape and it's just the detail that everyone has. Even on the ice in practice, it's all another level, so I think kind of being out there and kind of seeing that, kind of makes you have to be better and raise your level, so that's probably the biggest thing."

Fortescue, whose dad, Billy, was a Villanova defenseman and who has one cousin currently playing minor league hockey (another formerly did) and has two brothers playing college club hockey (Will at the University of Tampa and Jack and the University of Florida), had a large cheering section of about 200 friends and family members when he made his NHL debut at Madison Square Garden.

That game is so far No. 1 on his mental highlight reel. He took third star of the game honors and took a rookie lap around the ice in warmups to applause from the packed house.

"That first game was pretty special . Gong out there, taking that lap and seeing all of my family and everyone from Pearl River and all the people I grew up with all at the game was super special. And that's a moment that's definitely one of the best I've ever had in my life," he said.

The Rangers are hoping, of course, for many more big moments to come. The question, of course, is how soon?

Fortescue said no one in the organization has yet to address next year but he anticipates that happening after the focus shifts from this season's final games.

"This year is going to be helpful to see what I need to work on and stuff in parts of my hockey game, but I think the biggest part is getting bigger and stronger going into the summer for next year," he said.

He'll talk to Rangers coaches but, as of now, his plan is to work out this summer, where he has in the past, at Prentiss Hockey Performance in Stamford, Connecticut.

"I think I'm just taking it day by day. I believe in myself and what I can do, but I'm just here trying to enjoy every moment that I get to be here. It's been a blast and everyone has been so welcoming. ... It's just been a lot of fun," Fortescue said.

"Kind of just being the age I am and being out on this ice with all these guys is something still unbelievable to me."

Nancy Haggerty covers sports for The Journal News/lohud .

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Drew Fortescue of Pearl River lives NHL dream for hometown NY Rangers