From the Rangers’ development camp to the World Junior Championship and now the rookie camp, Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle and Dylan Garand have played a lot of hockey this summer.
The three Canadians are coming off a prolific run in the international tournament, which culminated in a gold-medal overtime victory over Finland in late August. All three Rangers prospects played a key part in Team Canada’s 19th gold medal, but that only means it likely took an even larger toll on their bodies.
“I haven’t had much of a summer,” Othmann said Thursday at MSG Training Center in Tarrytown. “I think I was telling a few people here that I’ve had a total of I think 10 or 11 days off and three or four weeks of actually training. I’ve been playing hockey, I guess, for 10 1/2, 11 months this year. It’s been a grind. I like that. I love hockey. I love playing the game.
“To play in that World Juniors, get there for three weeks and to be able to get that opportunity, showcase myself in different roles, was great. I think we did a pretty good job.”
Othmann, whom the Rangers drafted 16th overall in 2021, was cut from Canada’s roster last December. When the International Ice Hockey Federation had to cancel the remainder of the tournament due to rising cases of COVID-19, however, Othmann got another opportunity a few months later. He went on to score two goals and dish four assists to help propel Canada to gold.
Getting to show off his physicality and prove he could land hits, not only on players his size but also on bigger opponents, was a bonus. Othmann also got to spend time with Cuylle and Garand as well.
“It was a lot of fun, for sure,” Othmann said of competing alongside his fellow baby Blueshirts. “I think that you get to know them a little bit more. We got to know G a little bit, he’s a different character. You have to ask Cools about him. He’s a lot of fun and Cools and I built a good friendship, bonded out there, too. It’s two great guys, two guys I’ll be growing up with for the rest of my life, hopefully. I was very fortunate to have that with them.”
Added Cuylle in response to Othmann’s observations of Garand: “He’s probably talking about G’s focus in the room before a game. I’ve never seen someone so like focused and dialed in before, so that was interesting.”
Both Cuylle and Othmann believe the extra reps on the ice this summer has given them a leg up on some of their fellow prospects. They also said they feel their games have been ramped up in preparation for training camp, which commences on Thursday. Cuylle competed in 59 games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires last season, totaling 43 goals and 37 assists, while Othmann posted 50 goals and 47 assists in 66 contests for the Flint Firebirds.
The recuperation period may have been miniscule, but it’s evident that Othmann, Cuylle and Garand are all in game shape.
“This time is super important,” said Othmann, who mentioned that he skated with the NHL group on Monday and Tuesday. “We have rookie camp and two games this weekend, so [resting is] super important going into main camp. You have to find time during the day to rest and kind of relax and refuel your body and nap. Do treatments, hot tub, cold tub, stuff like that.”
With reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin and recently signed goalies Jaroslav Halak and Louis Domingue in the mix, Garand probably won’t be backstopping the Rangers this season. But Othmann and Cuylle will be competing to further improve their standing in the Rangers organization. Whether there’s an opportunity to beat out a player from last season or — in Cuylle’s case — earn a call-up amid injuries, the two will be looking to make an impression on Rangers management.
“I think I just have to show a really good physicality and really good compete,” said Cuylle, who could fit in a fourth-line role with the Rangers. “I think my game is obviously being a power forward, being really good on the forecheck and just making things happen offensively. And just being really good defensively, too, as well bringing a really good, consistent 200-foot game.”