Rangers first-round draft pick Brennan Othmann was soaking it all in at his first NHL training camp.
“I think there’s very little words to describe this because it’s been unbelievable,” the wing, who was the 16th-overall selection this year, said after skating during Thursday’s morning session. “Being one of the last junior guys here has been special, learning from the older guys like [Ryan Strome] and [Ryan] Reaves and the defensemen and the forwards, it’s been great to learn new things. I can’t wait to take that back to junior, whenever that is.”
“Whenever” is now. The 18-year-old Othmann was assigned to his OHL Flint team later in the day. Fellow wing Will Cuylle, who has been an eye-opener from Day 1 of development camp, is the only junior-eligible player remaining in camp.
Othmann, who played in Switzerland last season while the OHL was shuttered due to the pandemic, said he has picked up an education both on and off the ice during his stay.
“After the game a couple of nights ago, we worked out,” said Othmann, referring to the exhibition match Tuesday at the Garden against the Bruins, in which he played 11:55 and did not look out of place. “You’re not used to working out like that in junior, the buzzer goes and you get dressed and go up to meet your family and the fans.
“So I was getting undressed and putting on shorts and a T-shirt to cool down and Stromer came over and said, ‘Let’s go.’ I asked him where we were going and he told me, ‘to work out.’ I’m not used to that, so you get to learn stuff like that.
“I think I met my expectations here, maybe exceeded them a little, but I came in here wanting to learn a lot. I want to take that back to junior,” he said. “I want to be the top guy in my league in junior, a top-three guy, a top-five guy. I think since the first day I got here [for development camp] about a month ago, I think I got a lot stronger, skating and battling with the older guys. “I think being stronger and being confident in the corners and all that is a lot that I’ve learned and a lot that’s going into my game. I’m very confident in myself in that role.”
Othmann may have gained confidence, but he is going to have to add some bulk to his 6-foot, 175-pound frame. He will have some time to do it. The lad won’t turn 19 until Jan. 5.
“It’s obviously very cliché for young guys but you have to get stronger. You’re playing against guys like Ryan Reaves who are 225 pounds,” Othmann said. “You’re a buck-80 like me, nine times out of 10, he’s coming away with the puck.
“I think if I can throw in another five or 10 pounds of muscle and come back with a little more confidence next year and play well in the OHL, I may have a good shot [to make the Rangers.]”