After a five-game taste of playing in the NHL late last season, Gabe Perreault is hungry to make the full-time jump into the New York Rangers lineup. The organization's top forward prospect is making sure that he's putting in the proper work this offseason to be ready for that next opportunity when training camp opens in September.
To that end, Perreault is spending his summer in Chicago , training with NHL players. Among the names in his group? J.T. Compher , Christian Dvorak — and one that stands out most to Perreault.
"Yeah, there's [Patrick] Kane," Perreault told reporters at prospects development camp this week . "He was my favorite player growing up. I try to watch him every day — the little things he does, how smart his is, how he picks up pucks, makes plays. Obviously, he's the best stick handler in the world."
There's much Perreault can learn from the three-time Stanley Cup champion, who's the second leading United States-born scorer in NHL history with 1,343 points (492 goals, 851 assists). They play a similar game — each relies on impressive skill and high hockey IQ — and have a similar body type. Each winger is on the smaller side, and neither will overwhelm you with their brawn. But they are forces to be reckoned with.
Kane also played briefly for the Rangers after they acquired the future Hall of Famer ahead of the trade deadline in 2023. So, he can share some things about New York and the Rangers organization with Perreault.
All in all, it's a great learning opportunity for Perreault to train with Kane, who's set to enter his 19th NHL season and third with the Detroit Red Wings .
Perreault is just beginning his professional journey after starring for the past two seasons at Boston College. The 2023 first-round pick totaled 108 points (35 goals, 73 assists) in 73 games for the Eagles, and helped BC reach the National Championship game as a freshman in the spring of 2024.
The 20-year-old also helped the United States win consecutive gold medals in 2024 and 2025 at the World Junior Championship.
Perreault turned pro and played five games with the Rangers at the end of last season. Though he didn't record a point, Perreault came away with a deeper appreciation for what it takes to play hockey at its highest level.
"I played against five playoff teams … guys like [Nikia] Kucherov ," Perreault explained. "Those guys are special. They've played 500-plus games — they know exactly what's going to happen. It was a good situation to learn."
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Perreault treated this development camp as a springboard to making the Rangers opening-night roster in the fall.
"I'm gonna go with the mentality that I'm gonna make the team," he explained. "That's what everyone's mentality should be. So, like I said, I'm gonna do everything this summer, train hard, work on the little things I need to, and come here to make the team."
Perreault isn't just saying the right things. In addition to skating with NHL players like Kane, he's focused on adding strength, improving his skating, and fine tuning his defensive skills.
"Puck battles in the D-zone, coverage — little things like that," he said. "And my skating too, just tightening up the small areas.
"Whatever they need me to do, I'm willing to do."
Related: Rangers GM addresses flurry of roster changes: 'big piece of it was salary cap'
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Rangers director of player development Jed Ortmeyer has been around plenty of high-end prospects to know which ones are serious about taking the next step. He sees that important trait in Perreault, who's as motivated as he is skilled.
"Super excited to keep working with him and see the path that he's on in his development," Ortmeyer said Wednesday. "Great that he was able to be here this week and showcase what he's done and all the hard work he's done this summer so far."
There's no set timeline for Perreault to be a full-time regular in the Rangers lineup. When he's ready, he's ready. But the organization is extremely pleased with his developmental path.
"He's motivated, definitely, this summer," Ortmeyer added. "Just getting a taste of it, and I think it adds motivation. He wants to come into camp in the best shape and give himself the best opportunity."
That five-game "taste" at the NHL level may have been short, but it gave both Perreault and the rangers a clear look at where he'll need to round out his game. And so far, Ortmeyer likes how Perreault's responded to the challenge.
"The homework was really about understanding the pace, the physicality, the constancy it takes," Ortmeyer explained. "He knows that, and he's doing the work. You can see it in how he's approached the summer."
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