Former Rangers defenseman believes ‘future is bright’ for EJ Emery
Matt Gilroy is more qualified than most to discuss EJ Emery and the young defenseman’s future with the New York Rangers. After all, Gilroy is a former Rangers defenseman himself, one who later coached Emery at the United States National Team Development Program.
So it carries weight when Gilroy tells Forever Blueshirts that “Rangers fans are going to love him.”
But what exactly does Gilroy, who was named an assistant coach at Harvard University this week after serving as an assistant for two seasons with the USNTDP, like most about Emery?
“To be a kid at such a young age and be so driven and focused, it’s pretty wild to see,” Gilroy explained in a phone conversation with Forever Blueshirts on Tuesday. “I think his strength is how he understands defense. It’s such a hard skill to learn and he already understands it at a high, high level.
“He’s going to a great program at North Dakota and he’s only going to get better. I think he’s just scratching the surface of what he’s going to be as a player. To see him over the next few years is going to be very exciting. Rangers fans should be excited.”
Emery was the Rangers’ first-round pick in this year’s draft, No. 30 overall. Known as a defense-first defenseman, the 18-year-old had 16 assists in 61 games last season, and a whopping plus-34.
“I would say my skating ability and how well I play defense (are my best skills),” Emery said at the draft in Las Vegas. “I’m really going to be a lockdown guy that can shutdown plays, get the puck up ice and make plays.”
He recently impressed at the World Junior Summer Showcase. There’s a good chance he’ll join fellow Rangers prospects Gabe Perreault and Drew Fortescue playing for the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championship beginning in late December.
Until then, Emery will play his freshman season at University of North Dakota, where he’s already entrenched in summer classes. Rangers director of player development and amateur scouting John Lilley emphasized Emery will not be rushed to the pro level. The Blueshirts believe the athletic defenseman needs to mature physically and hone his all-around game before turning pro even becomes a thought.
Gilroy agrees that’s the best approach. But when that day comes, Gilroy believes Emery will seize his moment.
“He’ll be ready for Madison Square Garden and they’re gonna love him.”
And why is that?
“Unbelievable kid, unbelievable defender and the future is bright with him.”
Related: EJ Emery aims to win NCAA title after ‘getting a taste’ of NHL life
Matt Gilroy believes Rangers ‘ready for that Cup’
Gilroy’s path to the Rangers was a bit different than the one Emery is taking. A late-bloomer, the Long Island native was a walk on at Boston University, where he was a three-time Hockey East First-Team All-Star. As captain, he led BU to the NCAA championship in 2009 and was also named winner of the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s best men’s collegiate hockey player.
However, he was never selected in the NHL Draft. So, shortly after winning the national title, Gilroy signed a two-year free-agent contract with his hometown Rangers. He was 25 when making his NHL debut in October of 2009.
He played two seasons with the Blueshirts from 2009-11, and then returned to play another season under John Tortorella in 2012-13. All told, he had 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in 142 games with the Rangers.
“There’s nothing like it. Being from New York, watching when they win in the ’90s and being around for that. The atmosphere. My dad being from the city, my mom being from New York, to be able to call Madison Square Garden home for a few years, I wouldn’t trade that for the world, my experience in New York,” Gilroy shared.
Gilroy also played with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, totaling 225 games in the NHL. He played another four seasons in the KHL and was an alternate captain for the United States men’s hockey team at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics.
Though he’s now moving to Boston with his wife, Fox 1 Sports broadcaster Jenny Taft, and their child, and previously lived in Michigan when coaching for the USNTDP, Gilroy has kept a close eye on the Rangers.
Like with Emery, he likes what he sees from the current Blueshirts.
“Excited for the way they’ve built the team for the past few years, and hopefully they can get it done in the next few years,” he explained. “They’re ready for that Cup that everyone’s been searching for.”
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