It was only one meaningless game before training camp even started, but it sure was an inauspicious start for the Rangers’ prospects at the Traverse City Tournament in Michigan — especially for highly touted Russian goalie Igor Shesterkin.

The Baby Blueshirts lost to the group of prospects from the Blue Jackets, 6-2, on Friday. Shesterkin, making his North American debut after his long-awaited arrival from the KHL, allowed six goals on 31 shots. There were quite a few awful neutral-zone turnovers that resulted in odd-man rushes against, but surely Shesterkin would have wanted a few back.

It’s possible the 23-year-old will start the season with AHL Hartford, whose first-year head coach, Kris Knoblauch, was behind the bench for this one. The ice is smaller and the game is faster than it was on the international surface in the KHL.

Kaapo Kakko, the Rangers No. 2-overall pick from June’s draft, did not play because of an illness that also kept him out of practice in Tarrytown on Thursday before the flight. The Rangers got both goals from Brett Kemp, an undrafted 19-year-old playing in the WHL.

The team plays again on Saturday at 7 p.m. against the Stars.