Peterborough Petes Alumnus Brennan Othmann Has Memorable NHL Debut With the New York Rangers
/It was a birthday that Peterborough Petes alumnus and OHL champion Brennan Othmann will not forget in his NHL debut with the New York Rangers against the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.
During warmups, Othmann got a solo lap around the Rangers’s side of the ice and got a few shots in before the rest of the team joined him. The game was on the eve of his 21st birthday.
Take a lap, Otter. 👏 pic.twitter.com/sCiZB9gdGY
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 4, 2024
The Rangers defeated the visiting Blackhawks 4-1. While Othmann did not register a point, the Pickering native had five shots on net, three hits and one blocked shot for 12:26 time on ice. It was the most shots on goal by a debuting Rangers player since Mario Marois had seven in 1977.
“I just wanted to have fun and just play my game, I think,” said Othmann. “My game is physicality and shooting and just kind of bringing a presence on the ice.”
Othmann had a few shifts on the top line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider when Blake Wheeler had a five-minute fighting major penalty.
After the game, Rangers forward Artemi Panarin gave Othmann a hat and had him give a speech. The former Pete had few words but drew applause from his teammates.
“Thanks for the welcome, boys. Good two points, see you on the plane,” said Othmann.
"SPEECH!" pic.twitter.com/pLPUts7stD
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 5, 2024