The Rangers signed the Hamilton, Ontario native after a successful career at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he accumulated 11 goals and 51 assists for 62 points in 98 games stretched over three seasons. In his final season, he registered six goals and 25 assists for 31 points in 38 games, ranking tied for second among NCAA defensemen in assists and tied for sixth in points. In 2020-21, Scanlin was named to the Honorable Mention All-NCHC Team and in 2019-20, he was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team.