Mike Sullivan lauded the New York Rangers‘ buy-in after Igor Shesterkin went down for the 2026-27 NHL season. That message included Dylan Garand, who became the Rangers‘ starting goaltender overnight.
As much as Garand is enjoying his sudden rise to stardom in the Big Apple and has strung together superb outings, he’s also well aware of the high stakes riding on his shoulders. Garand isn’t turning a deaf ear to Shesterkin‘s injury. He and the rest of the Blueshirts know something is amiss with their star goalie out of the picture for the remainder of the NHL campaign.
“It’s obviously tough when you lose your best player in [Shesterkin] a guy who plays so well for this team for so long and is such a big part of it,” Garand admitted, per NHL.com. “It’s tough. It’s a blow to the group for sure.“
Garand is ready for the challenge
As big an opportunity as it is for Garand early in his NHL journey, the 24-year-old also shed light on how Shesterkin’s injury affects morale in the locker room. For a young netminder with only a few career games under his belt, it’s definitely a tall order for the Rangers’ former fourth-round selection in the 2020 NHL Draft.
Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers.
Regardless, it’s nothing he hasn’t seen before, even in his limited professional experience, albeit now magnified to an unforeseen level. Garand is ready to meet the challenge.
“But it happens sometimes. It’s pro sports, players get injured. I think the guys did a great job of stepping up and we’re going to need more of that for sure,” Garand concluded.
Key takeaways
- Dylan Garand took over as the New York Rangers’ starting goaltender following Igor Shesterkin’s injury.
- Dylan Garand called losing Shesterkin “a blow to the group” after becoming the starter.
- The 24-year-old netminder was originally selected in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft.
