McIlrath, a big (6-foot-5, 220 pounds), rugged defenseman, plays a simple and safe game from the blue line, but he also patrols the back end, keeping other teams honest and protecting his teammates.

McIlrath started his career in 2008-09 with Moose Jaw in the Western Hockey League, where he scored eight goals and 28 points and accumulated 271 penalty minutes in his first two seasons. Playing in the 2010 Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects game, McIlrath caught the attention of NHL scouts and was selected by the New York Rangers with the No. 10 pick in the 2010 NHL Draft.

McIlrath remained with Moose Jaw for the next two seasons, combining for eight goals, 46 points and 256 minutes in penalties. He joined Connecticut of the American Hockey League for the final two games of the 2010-11 regular season and played five AHL playoff games there at the end of the 2011-12 season.

He dislocated his kneecap during his first full pro season in 2012-13, finishing with five assists and 125 penalty minutes in 45 games. McIlrath made his NHL debut with the Rangers on Dec. 12, 2013, playing 8:55 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

He played two games with the Rangers that season, and spend the remainder of it with Hartford of the AHL, where he scored six goals and 17 points and had 165 penalty minutes in 62 games.

McIlrath played one game with the Rangers in 2014-15 and appeared in 73 with Hartford. He finished with identical numbers as the previous season - six goals, 17 points and 165 penalty minutes. In 15 AHL playoff games, he had two assists and 23 penalty minutes.

McIlrath made the Rangers out of training camp for 2015-16 and scored his first NHL goal on Dec. 15, 2015, against the Edmonton Oilers. He finished with two goals, four points and 64 penalty minutes in 34 games. He made his Stanley Cup Playoff debut on April 16, 2016, in Game 2 of the first round against the Pittsburgh Penguins.