Recap: Rangers Make Nine Selections in 2020 NHL Entry Draft

During the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, which was held on Tuesday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 7, the Rangers selected nine players. With their nine picks in the Draft, the Blueshirts selected six forwards, one defenseman, and two goaltenders.
Six of the nine players the Rangers selected in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, including five of the team's first six selections, are Canadian. The Blueshirts selected at least six Canadian players in one NHL Entry Draft for the first time since 2005.
The Rangers entered the 2020 NHL Entry Draft with the first overall pick in the Draft. New York selected first overall in the NHL Amateur/Entry Draft for the first time since the universal Draft was adopted in 1969 (in which all junior players of qualifying age were eligible for selection). The Blueshirts had selected first overall in any NHL Amateur/Entry Draft only once since the Draft was implemented in 1963 (Andre Veilleux in 1965).

1st Round, 1st Overall

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With the first overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, and the first of their two first-round selections in this year's Draft, the Rangers selected forward Alexis Lafrenière.
Lafrenière, 18 (turns 19 years old on October 11), skated in 52 games with the Rimouski Oceanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) this past season, registering 35 goals and 77 assists for 112 points, along with a plus-41 rating and 50 penalty minutes. He received several awards during the 2019-20 season; he was named the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Player of the Year, received the Michel Briere Trophy as the QMJHL's Most Valuable Player, received the Mike Bossy Trophy as the QMJHL's Best Professional Prospect, received the Paul Dumont Trophy as the QMJHL's Personality of the Year (which recognizes an individual who had a positive media impact and helped improve the league's image during a season), and won the Jean Beliveau Trophy as the QMJHL's leading point scorer. Lafrenière led the QMJHL in points and assists, tied for fifth in the league in shots on goal (261), ranked eighth in the QMJHL in plus/minus rating, and tied for 10th in the league in goals this past season. He averaged 2.15 points per game in 2019-20, becoming the first QMJHL player to average at least 2.15 points per game in a season (min. 20 games played) since Jonathan Drouin in 2013-14 (2.35), as well as the first player in any of the three Canadian Major Junior Hockey Leagues (Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Western Hockey League) to average at least 2.15 points per game in a season (min. 20 games played) since Connor McDavid in 2014-15 (2.55).
The 6-2, 193-pounder has skated in 173 career QMJHL games over three seasons (2017-18 - 2019-20), all with Rimouski, registering 114 goals and 183 assists for 297 points, along with a plus-128 rating and 176 penalty minutes. Lafrenière was named the CHL Player of the Year, the QMJHL's Most Valuable Player, and the QMJHL's Personality of the Year in each of the last two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20); the only other player who has won each of those awards twice is Sidney Crosby. He has recorded 80 or more points in each of his three seasons in the QMJHL, including 100 or more points in two of those seasons, and he has also registered 35 or more goals in each of his three seasons in the league.

Lafrenière has been named to the QMJHL First All-Star Team in each of his three seasons in the league, including his rookie season in 2017-18, when he was named the CHL Rookie of the Year and the QMJHL Rookie of the Year and registered a QMJHL career-high 42 goals in 60 games. His 42 goals in 2017-18 were the most by a QMJHL player in his U17 season or younger since Crosby (54 in 2003-04). In addition, since 2003-04, Lafrenière is one of only five players in the three Canadian Major Junior Hockey Leagues who have recorded 40 or more goals in a season while playing in his U17 season or younger (along with Crosby, John Tavares, Taylor Hall, and Steven Stamkos). He was selected by Rimouski with the first overall pick in the 2017 QMJHL Entry Draft.
Internationally, the Saint-Eustache, Quebec native has represented Canada in numerous tournaments and has helped Canada earn several medals. Lafrenière registered 10 points (four goals, six assists) in five games while helping Canada win a gold medal at the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, and he was named the Most Valuable Player and the Best Forward of the tournament. He also helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he tallied 11 points (five goals, six assists) in five games and served as the team's captain in the tournament. Lafrenière recorded one goal in five games at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship and became the ninth-youngest player to make Team Canada's roster in the history of the IIHF World Junior Championship; the only players younger were Jay Bouwmeester, Sidney Crosby, Jason Spezza, Eric Lindros, Connor McDavid, Wayne Gretzky, Paul Kariya, and Mike Ricci. Lafrenière also helped Canada-Red earn a silver medal at the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge, registering six points (three goals, three assists) in six games.
Entering the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Lafrenière was ranked No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for this year's Draft. He is the first Quebec-born player to be selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Marc-Andre Fleury in 2003, as well as the first Quebec-born skater to be selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft since Vincent Lecavalier in 1998. Lafrenière is the first Canadian-born player to be selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft since Connor McDavid in 2015. Over the last 20 years, he is one of five players listed as a left wing who has been selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft (Ilya Kovalchuk - 2001; Rick Nash - 2002; Alex Ovechkin - 2004; Taylor Hall - 2010).

1st Round, 19th overall

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During the first round of the Draft, the Rangers acquired the 19th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft from the Calgary Flames in exchange for the 22nd overall and the 72nd overall picks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. With the 19th overall pick, the Blueshirts selected defenseman Braden Schneider.
Schneider, 19 (turned 19 years old on September 20), skated in 60 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this past season, registering seven goals and 35 assists for 42 points, along with a plus-nine rating and 42 penalty minutes. Schneider was selected to the WHL Eastern Conference's First All-Star Team this past season. He established WHL career-highs in several categories in 2019-20, including assists and points. Schneider ranked first among all WHL draft eligible defensemen in assists and points this past season. In addition, he ranked second on Brandon in assists and ranked fifth on the team in points in 2019-20, and he also led team defensemen in both categories during the season. Schneider was named the winner of Brandon's Mike Adamski Hardest Working Player Award this past season.
The 6-2, 210-pounder has skated in 185 career WHL games over parts of four seasons (2016-17 - 2019-20), all with Brandon, registering 16 goals and 72 assists for 88 points, along with a plus-32 rating and 84 penalty minutes. Schneider made his WHL debut as a 15-year-old during the 2016-17 season, and he has posted a plus-nine rating or better in each of his three full seasons in the WHL. In addition, he has skated in 14 career WHL playoff games, recording seven assists and four penalty minutes. Schneider has served as one of Brandon's alternate captains in each of the last two seasons.
Internationally, the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan native has represented Canada in several tournaments. Schneider helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He was named one of the Top Three Players on his Team while representing Canada at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championship, as he recorded three points (two goals, one assist) and a plus-nine rating in seven games. Schneider also served as the captain for Canada-White at the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge, and he registered two points (one goal, one assist) in six games in the tournament.
Entering the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Schneider was ranked No. 9 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters eligible for this year's Draft.

2nd Round, 60th overall

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During the second round of the Draft on October 7, the Rangers acquired the 60th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Lias Andersson. With the 60th overall pick, the Blueshirts selected forward Will Cuylle.
Cuylle, 18, skated in 62 games with the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this past season, registering 22 goals and 20 assists for 42 points, along with 37 penalty minutes. He established career-highs in several categories in 2019-20, including assists, points, and shots on goal (200). Cuylle tied for third on Windsor in power play goals (seven), ranked fourth in shots on goal, and ranked fifth in goals this past season. He registered nine points (five goals, four assists) in the final 11 games of the 2019-20 season, including three points (two goals, one assist) and 14 shots on goal on Mar. 1, 2020 vs. Kingston.
The 6-3, 212-pounder has skated in 125 career OHL games over two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20), both with Windsor, registering 48 goals and 35 assists for 83 points, along with 87 penalty minutes. Cuylle was named to the OHL's Second All-Rookie Team in 2018-19, as he ranked fifth among OHL rookies in goals (26) and ranked seventh among OHL rookies in points (41) during the season. Cuylle is one of only four OHL players in their U18 season or younger who registered at least 20 goals in each of the last two seasons. He helped Windsor advance to the 2019 OHL Playoffs and tallied three points (two goals, one assist) in four playoff contests. Cuylle was originally selected by Peterborough with the third overall pick in the 2018 OHL Priority Selection Draft.
Internationally, the Toronto, Ontario native has represented Canada in several tournaments. Cuylle helped Canada earn a silver medal at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he registered three points (two goals, one assist) in five games. He also tallied three points (two goals, one assist) in five games while playing with Canada-Black at the 2018 World U17 Hockey Challenge.

3rd Round, 92nd overall

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In the third round, the Rangers selected forward Oliver Tarnstrom with the 92nd overall pick.
Tarnstrom, 18, skated in 41 games with AIK's J20 team in SuperElit this past season, registering 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points, along with a plus-eight rating and eight penalty minutes. Among all draft eligible players in SuperElit in 2019-20, he tied for sixth in assists and tied for seventh in points during the season. Tarnstrom led AIK's J20 team in assists, ranked second in points, and ranked third in goals during the past season. He also skated in eight games with AIK in Allsvenskan in 2019-20, and he ranked fifth among draft eligible players in games played in Allsvenskan during the season.
The 6-1, 169-pounder has also skated in two games with AIK in Allsvenskan and two games with AIK's J20 team in J20 Nationell to begin the 2020-21 season. A native of Stockholm, Sweden, Tarnstrom skated in three games with Sweden's U18 team during the 2020 Five Nations Tournament. Tarnstrom's father, Dick Tarnstrom, played parts of five seasons in the NHL.

4th Round, 103rd overall

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In the fourth round, the Rangers selected goaltender Dylan Garand with the 103rd overall pick.
Garand, 18, appeared in 42 games with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this past season, posting a 28-10-3 record, along with a 2.21 GAA, a .921 SV%, and 4 SO. He established WHL career-bests in several categories in 2019-20, including appearances, wins, GAA, SV%, and shutouts. Garand ranked third in the WHL in wins and GAA, tied for third in SV%, and tied for fourth in shutouts this past season. He also received the Daryl K. Seaman Trophy as the WHL Scholastic Player of the Year for the 2019-20 season.
The 6-0, 173-pounder has appeared in 73 career WHL games over parts of three seasons (2017-18 - 2019-20; including one tie-break game in 2018-19), all with Kamloops, posting a 41-19-6 record, along with a 2.48 GAA, a .914 SV%, and 5 SO. Among all WHL goaltenders who were draft eligible this year, Garand ranked first in appearances in 2019-20, and he also ranked first (min. 10 appearances) in GAA and SV% during the season. In 2017-18, he helped Team British Columbia win the WHL Cup.
Internationally, the Victoria, British Columbia native has represented Canada in several tournaments. Garand helped Canada earn a silver medal at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he posted a 1.51 GAA in two appearances and earned one shutout. He also posted a 2-1-0 record, along with a 2.33 GAA and a .930 SV% in four appearances with Canada-Red at the 2018 World U17 Hockey Challenge.
Entering the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, Garand was ranked No. 6 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American goaltenders eligible for this year's Draft.

5th Round, 127th overall

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During the fifth round of the Draft, the Rangers acquired the 127th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for the 196th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and the 206th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. With the 127th overall pick, the Blueshirts selected forward Evan Vierling.
Vierling, 18, split this past season between the Flint Firebirds and the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), registering 14 goals and 30 assists for 44 points, along with 12 penalty minutes in 43 games. He established OHL career-highs in several categories in 2019-20, including goals, assists, and points. Vierling was one of 11 draft eligible players who averaged over 1.00 points per game in the OHL this past season.
The 6-1, 178-pounder has skated in 103 career OHL games over two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20) with Flint and Barrie, registering 20 goals and 51 assists for 71 points, along with 36 penalty minutes. A native of Aurora, Ontario, Vierling recorded three points (two goals, one assist) in six games while playing with Canada-Red at the 2018 World U17 Hockey Challenge, and he served as one of the team's alternate captains in the tournament.

5th Round, 134th overall

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In the fifth round, the Rangers selected forward Brett Berard with the 134th overall pick.
Berard, 18, skated in 41 games with the U.S. National U18 Team as part of the U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP) this past season, registering 16 goals and 18 assists for 34 points, along with a plus-15 rating and 46 penalty minutes. He led the team in game-winning goals (four), tied for second on the team in goals, ranked third in points, and ranked fourth in assists in 2019-20. Berard skated in 13 games against opponents in the United States Hockey League (USHL) and recorded 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) and a plus-12 rating in those 13 contests.
The 5-9, 165-pounder skated in 92 career games with the NTDP over two seasons (2018-19 and 2019-20), registering 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points, along with 80 penalty minutes. Berard tallied 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 51 games with the U.S. National U17 Team in 2018-19, and he tied for fifth on the team in assists.
Internationally, the Providence, Rhode Island native has represented the United States in several tournaments. Berard tallied two assists in five games while representing the United States at the 2018 World U17 Hockey Challenge. He has committed to attend Providence College, beginning with the 2020-21 season.

6th Round, 165th overall

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In the sixth round, the Rangers selected forward Matthew Rempe with the 165th overall pick.
Rempe, 18, skated in 47 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this past season, registering 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points, along with 53 penalty minutes. He ranked 13th among WHL rookies in points and ranked seventh among WHL rookies in penalty minutes in 2019-20. Rempe also ranked sixth on Seattle (second among team rookies) in points this past season, and he ranked third on the team in power play goals (five) in 2019-20. Rempe also led the team in faceoffs taken (653) and ranked second on the team in faceoff wins (301) this past season.
The 6-8, 235-pounder played with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) prior to beginning his WHL career. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Rempe registered 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 43 games with Spruce Grove in 2018-19, and he added one assist in eight playoff contests.

7th Round, 197th overall

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In the seventh round, the Rangers selected goaltender Hugo Ollas with the 197th overall pick.
Ollas, 18, appeared in 20 games with Linkoping's junior (J20) team in SuperElit this past season, posting a 2.43 GAA. The 6-8, 238-pounder has also appeared in seven games with Linkoping's junior team thus far in 2020-21, posting a 2.40 GAA. A native of Linkoping, Sweden, Ollas was named the Best Goaltender U18 goaltender in Sweden's J18 league in 2018-19.