19-year-old Gabe Perreault was selected by the New York Rangers with the No. 23 pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He is considered their top prospect. Here’s a look at how he faired during his first year in the league.
One of the more talked-about controversies during the final stretch of the New York Rangers’ 2024-25 season centered around the puzzling decision to keep promising young forward Gabe Perreault out of the lineup. As the team fought to stay alive in the playoffs, Perreault remained a healthy scratch—leaving fans and analysts alike questioning the call.
What makes the situation more intriguing is how much Perreault mirrors one of the Rangers’ longest-tenured veterans, Chris Kreider. Both are Boston College alumni, both were first-round draft picks by the Rangers, and both came in with significant expectations. With that context in mind, let’s take a closer look at Perreault’s early days in a Rangers sweater.
Expectations and Arrival
“It’s been pretty awesome,” Perreault said during his first week with the team. “Obviously, a tough way to end the season at school, but it’s super exciting to be here. It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m really excited to help these guys.”
On March 31, Rangers President and GM Chris Drury announced that the team had officially signed Perreault to a three-year, entry-level contract. Selected 23rd overall in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, the 19-year-old forward had just wrapped up a standout sophomore season at Boston College. He tallied 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points in 37 games, ranking among the NCAA’s top players in assists, points per game, and total points.
Despite a disappointing end to BC’s season—falling 3-1 to Denver in the NCAA tournament—Perreault’s individual success didn’t go unnoticed. The Sherbrooke, Quebec native earned Hockey East First-Team All-Star honors and was a Hobey Baker Award nominee. Across his two seasons at BC, he amassed 108 points in 73 games, placing him near the top of NCAA offensive rankings over that span.
Perreault’s résumé also includes plenty of international success. He helped lead Team USA to gold at both the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships, and he previously captured gold at the 2023 U-18 World Championship as well. Before college, he was a standout with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, recording 185 points over 121 games—good enough to place him fourth all-time in both assists and points in program history.
By the time Perreault hit the ice for his NHL debut, expectations were sky-high from the Rangers faithful. After such a decorated path to the pros, many believed he had earned more of an opportunity in the lineup—and they’re still wondering when he’ll get it.
Performance
Rookies taking a risk by foregoing the first year of their Entry Level Contract (ELC) is always a gamble, yet the Rangers pressed on.
Evaluating Perreault’s performance during the 2024-25 season is challenging since he appeared in only five games. This limited opportunity was partly due to some questionable choices made by former Head Coach Peter Laviolette.
In those five games, Perreault didn’t tally any points but managed to fire five shots on goal and averaged over 14 minutes of ice time. He showcased flashes of the talent that made him a top prospect, including some impressive NHL-caliber passes that highlighted his hockey IQ.
Laf hasn't been watching a lot of BC hockey.
That pass from Perreault is textbook.pic.twitter.com/cyl4QFOPXu
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) April 2, 2025
Where They Go From Here
It genuinely seems that the possibilities are endless for the young winger; there is a lot of excitement surrounding his potential achievements in his career. With Laviolette no longer in charge, hopefully, new Head Coach Mike Sullivan will provide Perreault with the opportunity he rightfully deserves in the upcoming 2025-26 National Hockey League season.
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