Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle, Dylan Garand plan on showing off summer ‘grind’ in regular season

From the Rangers’ improvement camp to the World Junior Championship and now the rookie camp, Brennan Othmann, Will Cuylle and Dylan Garand have performed a variety of hockey this summer time.

The three Canadians are coming off a prolific run within the worldwide event, which culminated in a gold-medal time beyond regulation victory over Finland in late August. All three Rangers prospects performed a key half in Workforce Canada’s nineteenth gold medal, however that solely means it probably took an excellent bigger toll on their our bodies.

“I haven’t had a lot of a summer time,” Othmann stated Thursday at MSG Coaching Middle in Tarrytown. “I feel I used to be telling just a few folks right here that I’ve had a complete of I feel 10 or 11 days off and three or 4 weeks of truly coaching. I’ve been enjoying hockey, I suppose, for 10 1/2, 11 months this 12 months. It’s been a grind. I like that. I really like hockey. I really like enjoying the sport.

“To play in that World Juniors, get there for 3 weeks and to have the ability to get that chance, showcase myself in numerous roles, was nice. I feel we did a reasonably good job.”

Othmann, whom the Rangers drafted sixteenth total in 2021, was reduce from Canada’s roster final December. When the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation needed to cancel the rest of the event resulting from rising circumstances of COVID-19, nonetheless, Othmann received one other alternative just a few months later. He went on to attain two objectives and dish 4 assists to assist propel Canada to gold.

Getting to point out off his physicality and show he might land hits, not solely on gamers his dimension but in addition on greater opponents, was a bonus. Othmann additionally received to spend time with Cuylle and Garand as nicely.

“It was a variety of enjoyable, for certain,” Othmann stated of competing alongside his fellow child Blueshirts. “I feel that you simply get to know them somewhat bit extra. We received to know G somewhat bit, he’s a special character. You need to ask Cools about him. He’s a variety of enjoyable and Cools and I constructed friendship, bonded on the market, too. It’s two nice guys, two guys I’ll be rising up with for the remainder of my life, hopefully. I used to be very lucky to have that with them.”

Added Cuylle in response to Othmann’s observations of Garand: “He’s most likely speaking about G’s focus within the room earlier than a sport. I’ve by no means seen somebody so like targeted and dialed in earlier than, in order that was attention-grabbing.”

Each Cuylle and Othmann imagine the additional reps on the ice this summer time has given them a leg up on a few of their fellow prospects. In addition they stated they really feel their video games have been ramped up in preparation for coaching camp, which commences on Thursday. Cuylle competed in 59 video games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Windsor Spitfires final season, totaling 43 objectives and 37 assists, whereas Othmann posted 50 objectives and 47 assists in 66 contests for the Flint Firebirds.

The recuperation interval could have been miniscule, however it’s evident that Othmann, Cuylle and Garand are all in sport form.

“This time is tremendous essential,” stated Othmann, who talked about that he skated with the NHL group on Monday and Tuesday. “We now have rookie camp and two video games this weekend, so [resting is] tremendous essential going into most important camp. You need to discover time in the course of the day to relaxation and form of loosen up and refuel your physique and nap. Do remedies, scorching tub, chilly tub, stuff like that.”

With reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin and just lately signed goalies Jaroslav Halak and Louis Domingue within the combine, Garand most likely gained’t be backstopping the Rangers this season. However Othmann and Cuylle will probably be competing to additional enhance their standing within the Rangers group. Whether or not there’s a possibility to beat out a participant from final season or — in Cuylle’s case — earn a call-up amid accidents, the 2 will probably be seeking to make an impression on Rangers administration.

“I feel I simply have to point out a very good physicality and actually good compete,” stated Cuylle, who might slot in a fourth-line function with the Rangers. “I feel my sport is clearly being an influence ahead, being actually good on the forecheck and simply making issues occur offensively. And simply being actually good defensively, too, as nicely bringing a very good, constant 200-foot sport.”