GREENBURGH - Dylan Garand is on the brink of a dream, one that involves donning the iconic Rangers sweater for a regular season game. Imagine skating onto the Madison Square Garden ice, taking position in the crease once guarded by legends like John Davidson, Mike Richter, and Henrik Lundqvist. Now, it’s Igor Shesterkin’s domain, but Garand might soon join that illustrious list.
“It’d be cool,” Garand shared after a brisk 50-minute practice at the MSG Training Center. “Playing at the most famous arena in the world, wearing a Rangers jersey in front of the home fans would be an incredible experience.”
Garand, fresh from being called up from AHL Hartford, might soon get his shot. With backup goalie Jonathan Quick sidelined day-to-day with an upper-body injury, head coach Mike Sullivan hinted that Garand could see NHL action soon.
Sullivan emphasized that Garand’s promotion is well-earned. “Dylan’s been outstanding in Hartford, giving them a chance to win every night,” Sullivan said. “He deserves this opportunity.”
A fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, Garand has shown promise this season, posting a 2.83 goals against average and a .896 save percentage over 36 games. But those numbers only tell part of the story. Recently, he’s been on fire, boasting a .919 save percentage and a 2.06 goals against average in his last 11 outings.
“It’s been a rollercoaster year,” Garand admitted, reflecting on both his and the Wolf Pack’s season. Despite a rocky start, the team has found its rhythm, and Garand’s individual record stands at 16-15-2, with the Wolf Pack at 24-30-6 overall. “We’ve been gelling really well lately and playing great hockey.”
The turnaround has been notable, with Hartford improving from a 16-22-5 start to an 8-8-1 run in their last 17 games. “Our record didn’t always reflect our play,” Garand noted. “We lost a lot of tight games, often leading into the third period but unable to seal the deal.”
Now, Garand is part of a Rangers team focused on giving prospects a shot at the NHL. With Quick, a future Hall-of-Famer, turning 40 and approaching free agency, there’s a chance for young talent to step up.
“We’re all aware of the opportunities,” Garand said. “Playing in the NHL is the dream, and seeing openings motivates us to work harder every day.”
In other news, the Rangers signed 20-year-old defenseman Drew Fortescue to a three-year, entry-level contract. Fortescue, who tallied four goals and 10 assists in 36 games with Boston College, will join the Rangers directly. Meanwhile, Noah Laba and Urho Vaakanainen are week-to-week with injuries, with no immediate plans to place them on injured reserve, according to Sullivan.