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Get to know newest Rangers prospect Carey Terrance after trade with Ducks
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- Get to know newest Rangers prospect Carey Terrance after trade with Ducks
Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers not only saved $6.5 million against the salary cap by trading forward Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, they addressed an organizational need by acquiring center prospect Carey Terrance at the same time.
Though they could still target a center with the No. 12 pick in this year's NHL Draft, there's less urgency for the Rangers to do so after picking up Terrance, a 20-year-old who was Anaheim's second-round selection (No. 59 overall) in the 2023 draft.
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The upstate New York product joins a thin group of center prospects in the Rangers organization, a pipeline that includes Noah Laba, Dylan Roobroeck and Bryce McConnell-Barker, each of whom spent time with Hartford of the American Hockey League this season.
The Rangers have a strong stable of veteran centers, though that could change if there are more trades this summer and/or if Mika Zibanejad is shifted permanently to right wing. J.T. Miller , Vincent Trocheck , Sam Carrick and Zibanejad provide the Rangers serious depth down the middle, with Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski also in the mix.
With Laba turning pro this spring and now the acquisition of Terrance, the Rangers are fortifying their organizational depth at center.
So who is the newest New York Rangers prospect? Let's dive in.
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Related: Why former Rangers center nearly was traded 2nd time before deadline
Breaking down new Rangers prospect Carey Terrance
2024-25 team: Erie Otters (OHL)
Size: 6-foot-1, 190 pounds
2024-25 stats: 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 45 games
Team USA at World Junior Championship: Two goals in seven games
GREG WOHLFORD/ERIE TIMES-NEWS / USA TODAY NETWORK
Analysis from Elite Prospects 2023 NHL Draft Guide
"Terrance gets his chances two ways: Solo drives off the rush and give-and-goes. For the former, he dekes through opponents, burns them down the outside with speed and then skates through their hands to his way to the net. For the latter, he takes the middle and passes wide before turning on the afterburners, beating defenders to the net for the return feed. Even if the puck never arrives, he pushes back defenders to create lanes elsewhere."
Terrance prides himself on playing a solid two-way game, using his size and tenacity to create offense. He's very efficient on the forecheck and uses his speed and strength to take opponents one-on-one to get inside and generate scoring chances. He does so without sacrificing defense for offense.
The soft-spoken native of Akwesasne, New York, is a leader by example whose game is only loud in all the right ways. After he was drafted, Terrance described his game to the media as such.
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"I think I'm a versatile player. I'm not just a guy who's going to play on the power play or a man down but can play everywhere … I think I'm going to come in and help in a few years and play a role. Wherever I'm needed. I'm going to bring excitement to the fans and like I am at home, be a great leader and role model in the community. I'm not just going to be on the ice but be a role model off the ice too."
That's a pretty mature-sounding kid — he was 18 at the time he said those things. There's a reason Terrance was Erie's captain this season. Likely No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer and potential first-rounder Malcolm Spence served as alternate captains.
Terrance scored 30 goals in his draft year, but his production has dipped since. He had 29 goals and 52 points in 56 games for the Otters in 2023-24 and followed that with 20 goals and 39 points in 45 games this season, including a four-goal game in November.
His will was tested this past season when he was stretchered off the ice and taken to the hospital following a scary run into the boards on Feb. 14 against Owen Sound. He missed approximately two months before joining the Otters at the end of the season ahead of the playoffs, when they lost in the conference semifinals.
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Terrance also scored two goals in seven games for the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championship, where he and fellow Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault
and Drew Fortescue
helped Team USA win the gold medal for the second consecutive year. Terrance was also on the 2024 championship team but didn't play — he was an extra on a stacked team.
He signed his entry-level contract April 9, which makes him eligible to turn pro next season. It'd most likely he'll spend time in Hartford to improve his all-around game before making the jump as a potential third-line center in the NHL. At age 20, time is on his side.
"Anyone our age, you hear a lot of GMs, scouts say you need to put on weight. You need to develop your body and that's just what I've been trying to do. In the gym, on the ice, just get stronger and get bigger," Terrance explained . "Still being able to move at the same speed I am. That's been definitely a focus. I've put on a lot of weight and I still feel really good on the ice. All around the ice."
When it comes to draft picks outside the first round, their success is generally established with a chip on their shoulder (think Will Cuylle
, Matt Rempe
etc).
Being one of the few Native Americans (he's a member of the Mohawk Nation) in pro hockey who grew up on a small reservation near the Canadian border, Terrance prides himself on his tremendous work ethic. His Akwesasne Mohawk Reservation even plans to recognize Terrance's accomplishments and representation to the community with a permanent plaque of him.
Terrance isn't a cocky athlete, simply one who's confident in what he can bring on the ice.
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"I can play on the power play, can play PK, you know last minute play whether we need a goal or we need to stop a goal. I love to be in those situations."
Terrance is not a star and may not excel in one specific area, but he certainly seems like someone coaches can use in all situations.
Doing so against men will certainly bring its hurdles, but the kid comes across as very coachable and someone who doesn't cheat the game. We just heard Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice describe center Sam Bennett
's game the same way. Though not at that elite level by any means, it's easy to see the similarities in Bennett and Terrance's style and approach to the game.
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