NY Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan introduced in Tarrytown
Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan is introduced during a press conference at the MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, New York, May 8, 2025.
The New York Rangers had to wait until Day 2 of the 2025 NHL Draft to make their first selection, but snagged what experts considered one of the best values of the second round.
Malcolm Spence, a forward from the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League, was taken by the Blueshirts with pick No. 43 overall on June 28.
He was graded as first-round caliber by most rankings, but turned the page quickly after not hearing his name called on opening night of the draft.
“Obviously there’s expectations from the media and whatnot of where I was going to get picked – but for me, I believe in myself,” Spence told reporters via Zoom. “Just because I didn’t get picked (Friday), I kind of changed my mindset right after and said, ‘Well, tomorrow’s a new day. You’re in a situation that not a lot of people are in.’”
“I was New York’s first pick and I have some family out there,” he added. “It worked out really well. I’m really excited that they took a chance on me and believed in me when a lot of the other people didn’t.”
The 18-year-old racked up 73 points (32 goals and 41 assists) with a plus-10 rating in 65 games with Erie last season. He also has extensive experience with Team Canada, winning gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he scored the overtime winner in the final against Czechia, and the 2024 IIHF U-18 World Championships.
Spence has impressed scouts with his speed, work rate and competitiveness. He’s a high-effort forechecker who isn’t shy about jumping into the fray on both ends of the ice and has flashed enough offensive ability to warrant a top-50 pick.
“I’m a fast, physical player that plays with a lot of pace and has high-end skill,” he said. “I’m going to be a guy who plays in all situations and going to be a guy that’s called upon by his teammates for whatever they need. I’ve been a leader my whole life, and I’m going to continue to do that.”
The Rangers passed on available players at bigger positions of need, including centers Cole McKinney, William Moore and Eric Nilson, in favor of the value they saw in Spence.
The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder has mostly played left wing, which is easily the deepest position in the organizational pipeline. Four of lohud.com’s top five Rangers’ prospects from 2024 are natural LWs, as well − Brett Berard, Brennan Othmann, Adam Sỳkora and top-ranked Gabe Perreault − but that didn’t dissuade team president Chris Drury from taking the best player on their board. It’s noteworthy that Spence has experimented a bit at center.
The Mississauga, Ontario native is committed to the University of Michigan, which he referred to as “the best program in college hockey.” He’s expected to play an immediate role as a freshman, with his skating and physicality helping the transition.
Those are the traits that surely attracted the Rangers, but there’s intrigue about how his playmaking and left-handed shot will develop. That will determine whether he can push his way into top-six consideration or project as a third-line energizer, but Spence said he’s primarily focused on adding strength.
A report from The Athletic suggested he lost weight following a tongue injury that resulted in infection last season.
“I’m not oblivious,” Spence said. “I know that to play in the NHL, you’ve got to be physically ready. There are some parts of my game, maybe skill-wise, that might be ready. But I know physically, I’m not. I know going to Michigan is going to give me more runway time. However long it takes for me to jump in and be an impact player, that’s what I want to do. I don’t really have a timeline on it. I’m not going to rush things.”
Before turning his attention to college, Spence is heading straight to New York to participate in Rangers’ development camp this week. There he’ll be reunited with Erie teammate Carey Terrance, a center prospect who was acquired earlier this month as part of the trade that sent veteran forward Chris Kreider to Anaheim.
“Carey’s one of my closest friends,” Spence beamed. “He usually spends time at my house during the summer and will come down and hang out. … To be in an organization where I have one of my best friends there, it’s a pretty cool feeling.”
Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.