Rangers Prospect Artem Gonchar Turning Heads in the OHL
While the NHL takes a breather for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, junior hockey keeps rolling-and for the New York Rangers, that means keeping a close eye on one of their more intriguing prospects. Artem Gonchar, the Rangers’ 2025 NHL Draft pick, is quietly putting together a strong season with the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL, and he’s starting to look less like a longshot and more like a legitimate piece of the franchise’s future blue line.
Gonchar’s OHL Transition Has Been Impressive
When the Rangers called Gonchar’s name on draft day, there were some raised eyebrows. At 5-foot-10 and under 170 pounds, he didn’t exactly fit the mold of a prototypical NHL defenseman. But what he lacked in size, he made up for in skill-and now, we’re seeing that skill translate to the North American game.
Through 49 games with Sudbury, Gonchar has racked up 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points. That puts him third in team scoring and among the top producers in the OHL when it comes to draft-eligible +1 defensemen. His 0.78 points per game average might not jump off the page, but for a first-year player adjusting to a new league, new ice dimensions, and a new style of play, it’s a solid mark-and a sign that his offensive instincts are already NHL-caliber.
The Rangers have been in need of a puck-moving, offensively inclined defenseman in their pipeline, and Gonchar is checking that box early. But what’s just as encouraging is how he’s rounding out the rest of his game.
"I Started Caring More About Defense"
Gonchar’s offensive upside has never really been in question. After all, he’s the nephew of longtime NHL blueliner Sergei Gonchar, and the offensive flair seems to run in the family. But the knock on Artem coming into the draft was about his physical game and defensive reliability-two areas that are critical for any defenseman hoping to make the NHL leap.
And to his credit, Gonchar is embracing the challenge head-on.
“It was hard the first time, getting used to the North American style of hockey,” Gonchar admitted back in December, speaking through teammate and translator Vladimir Provorov. “But I’m getting better, so it’s easier for me now.”
That adjustment isn’t just about pace or positioning-it’s about mindset. Gonchar has made a conscious effort to be more engaged defensively and to play with more physicality, even if that’s not yet his natural strength.
“I started caring more about defense and also playing more physical, tried to hit more,” he said. “For me, it’s important for my team to win, so I try to help the team to score more and the other team less.”
That kind of self-awareness and willingness to evolve is exactly what you want to see from a young player. He’s not just coasting on skill-he’s actively working to become a more complete player.
Earning Trust in Sudbury
Sudbury head coach Scott Blarney has taken notice of Gonchar’s growth, especially on the defensive side of the puck. The early language barrier was a hurdle, but Gonchar has worked through it, and now he’s starting to thrive.
“He’s really trying to battle on the D side,” Blarney said. “It’s obviously not easy earlier on with the language barrier and we were having Provorov help, but now, he’s on his own and he’s a smart kid and I think he really understands what we’re saying. He’s a smart hockey player and when he visually sees what we want on video or drawing, applies it to his game.”
That’s the kind of feedback that matters-coaches don’t hand out that kind of praise lightly. It speaks to Gonchar’s hockey IQ, his adaptability, and his willingness to put in the work. And for a player making his first full-season leap from Russia’s MHL to the OHL, that’s no small feat.
What Comes Next?
Gonchar came over from Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk, where he posted 25 points in 50 games last season. He’s already surpassed those numbers in the OHL, a league that’s faster, more physical, and more demanding in just about every way. That alone is a strong sign of progression.
Still, the road to the NHL is rarely linear. Gonchar is 19 now and will turn 20 next season, meaning he’ll be entering an overage year in the OHL.
That next step-likely a move to the AHL-will be a critical one. The Rangers will need to ensure that their AHL affiliate in Hartford is better equipped to develop young talent than it has been in recent years.
The Wolf Pack have struggled to field a competitive team, and that kind of environment can stall a prospect’s growth if not handled carefully.
Gonchar shoots left, and that’s an area where the Rangers could use some long-term help. If his trajectory continues, he could eventually slot in as a second- or third-pair defenseman with offensive upside-an asset in today’s NHL. But there’s still work to be done, physically and defensively, before he’s ready to make that jump.
The good news? He’s already proving he’s up for the challenge.
What once looked like a risky pick is starting to look like a smart swing on a player with real upside. For Rangers fans, Gonchar is one to watch.