As the New York Rangers aim for a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearance, the team is also focusing on the future. On Sunday, the Rangers signed defenseman prospect Jackson Dorrington to a three-year entry-level contract.
Dorrington, following in the footsteps of center prospect Noah Laba, who signed his entry-level deal last Tuesday, will finish this season with Hartford of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout contract (ATO).
The Rangers acquired Jackson Dorrington as part of a major trade with the Vancouver Canucks on January 31. In the deal, New York received forward J.T. Miller, defenseman Erik Brannstrom (who was later traded to the Buffalo Sabres), and Dorrington in exchange for a conditional first-round draft pick, center Filip Chytil, and defenseman Victor Mancini.
Dorrington, who will turn 21 on April 13, recently wrapped up his junior season at Northeastern University. Serving as an alternate captain, he recorded a career-high 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) in 37 games. His 73 blocked shots led the team and ranked ninth in the nation, and he finished second in scoring among Northeastern defensemen.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound defenseman had a standout performance on November 23, posting three points (one goal, two assists) in a 4-2 victory over Boston College, where he faced Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue. Dorrington also registered an assist in his final game last week, when Northeastern lost 4-3 in double overtime to Maine in the Hockey East semifinals.
Over the course of 105 games at Northeastern, Dorrington accumulated 33 points (eight goals, 25 assists). He scored six goals during the 2023-24 season and was voted Northeastern’s Unsung Hero.
