GREENBURGH, New York – Brennan Othmann achieved her goals last season in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).
“I wanted to be one of the top five players in the League and I think I achieved it,” said the New York Rangers offensive prospect.
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The big question for the 19-year-old is: will he have to do it again?
Othmann, drafted 16th overall in 2021, is ineligible to play in the American Hockey League (AHL) this season due to his age. That means he’ll have to carve out a spot with the Rangers if he doesn’t want to return to the Flint Firebirds. He had 97 points (50 goals, 47 assists) in 66 games as captain of Flint last season, and added 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in 19 OHL playoff games.
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Othmann is confident he’s ready to make the leap to the pros.
“The NHL is a big step,” Othmann said. Obviously, playing with Rangers is a big step forward. They’re a good, young team with some veteran leadership. If I can come here, learn, play a few games and stay as long as possible, I think it would be great for my development and for everyone. If I don’t carve out a place with the team in September, there will always be next year. But there comes a time when enough is enough. You want to work hard and make your place with the team. I hope it will be this year and I think I can make it happen. »
New York will give him a real chance to assert himself.
“I’m glad that’s his goal,” said general manager Chris Drury. “He had quite a season last year. He is a real scorer. He excelled at finding the back of the net. There are intangibles in his game as well. He is surly, competitive. There are a lot of things we love about what he does all over the ice. »
Othmann says he models his game on that of the Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachukespecially with his ability to impose more than his size suggests.
Tkachuk is 6-foot-2 and 201 pounds. Othmann is 6 feet tall and said he weighed 185 pounds at Rangers development camp on July 11.
“I love Tkachuk’s style of play. He is a role model for me, mentioned Othmann. It is very difficult to face. He is robust. I weigh 180 or 185 pounds, but I like to play like I’m bigger. It’s a good thing, and not all players can say the same. It’s a quality that inspires me about Tkachuk.
“You love having him on your team and you hate having to face him. This is the model that comes to mind. »
He also sees a bit of the Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor in his own game.
“He’s a 40-goal scorer who can play both ways,” Othmann said. He may not be as tough as Tkachuk, but he has a good mind and he knows what to do with the puck. »
If Othmann becomes a Tkachuk or a Connor, it will be a home run for the Rangers. They’ll find out if it’s possible during training camp, and maybe even in the regular season.
“He’s a top player who sees the game well,” Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer said. “He has a good shot and he can score goals. He competes. We are very excited about him. He is very motivated. He wants to be the best player he can be, whether it’s in the OHL or with the New York Rangers. We’ll take it one step at a time and see where it fits in with us. »
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