Rookie Jackson Dorrington still an uncertain fit for Rangers as training camp opens
Defenseman traded from Vancouver and signed to an entry-level deal played nine AHL games and is seeking to earn a role at Madison Square Garden
Jackson Dorrington, a 21-year-old defenseman acquired by the New York Rangers in January, remains an unsettled roster prospect as the club begins training camp Thursday. Dorrington, who signed a three-year entry-level contract in March after being part of the J.T. Miller reunion trade with Vancouver, saw limited professional action last season and is using rookie camp and the exhibition slate to rebuild game form and stake a claim for a spot.
After reporting to the Hartford Wolf Pack in March, Dorrington played nine American Hockey League games and had not appeared in a game since April before participating in the weeklong Rangers rookie camp. He featured in two games against Philadelphia during the rookie sessions, including scoring a goal Saturday that gave the Rangers an early 2-0 lead in that contest. "It's huge. First two games since April. So, knock the rust off is great," Dorrington said Monday. "Playing the games is great for camp just to get me game ready and in game shape, but yeah, I mean, just interacting with all the guys, kind of building relationships with guys that I haven't met before and the staff has been great. So, I'm excited for what's to come."
A native of North Reading, Massachusetts, Dorrington was the Vancouver Canucks' 2022 draft pick who finished his collegiate career at Northwestern University as an assistant captain. In his third season with the Wildcats he recorded two goals, a career-high 13 assists and 46 blocked shots for 15 points, drawing attention for a physical style of play paired with occasional offensive instincts.
In Hartford, Dorrington registered one goal and one assist during his brief stint. The 6-foot-1, 216-pound left-shot defenseman described his game as hard-nosed with some offensive flair and said he is willing to take whatever role helps the team. "It's not up to me to decide," he said when asked where he might fit in the Rangers' depth chart. "But if I play as well as I can, I think I can do good things. They've been great ever since I was traded over here. Helped me out a lot and, I mean, just going to training camp, just trying to do my best and exceed those expectations of what they, everyone, has for me, just do my best and see what happens."
Dorrington acknowledged he remains uncertain how the Rangers view him within their prospect pipeline. He said he is working to add offensive elements to his game and wants to be "reliable in all situations." If he is assigned back to Hartford at the end of camp, Dorrington said he will use the time to learn and develop with the aim of eventually earning regular opportunities at Madison Square Garden.
The Rangers' training camp will pair veterans and rookies in competition for opening-night roles and depth positions. For Dorrington, the immediate priorities are regaining game speed after the layoff and continuing to build chemistry with teammates and staff he joined only months ago. Coaches and front-office evaluators will monitor whether his physical play and emerging offensive contributions can translate to sustained impact at the NHL level.
Dorrington's path to New York's blue line is far from settled. The organization acquired him as a prospect with upside, but limited professional minutes and an abbreviated rookie-camp showing mean he must demonstrate readiness during exhibition play and practices. For now, the 21-year-old is focused on preparation and adaptation as he competes for attention amid a crowded defensive group.
"It definitely felt good" to score in a rookie-camp game, Dorrington said. "Hopefully, that kinda foreshadows for the season. But yeah, it definitely felt good." Coaches will decide whether that momentum is enough to keep him in the NHL mix or send him back to Hartford to continue his development.