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Revision as of 00:04, 30 April 2009

Template:Current NHL season

New York Rangers
ConferenceEastern
DivisionAtlantic
Founded1926
HistoryNew York Rangers
1926–present
Home arenaMadison Square Garden
CityManhattan, New York City, New York
File:ECA-Uniform-NYR.PNG
Team colorsBlue, red, white      
MediaMSG
MSG Plus
PIX 11 (WPIX Ch11) - for 2 Games (08-09 Season)
WEPN (1050AM)
WABC (770AM)
Owner(s)Madison Square Garden, L.P.
(United States James Dolan, chairman)
General managerCanada Glen Sather
Head coachUnited States John Tortorella
CaptainUnited States Chris Drury
Minor league affiliatesHartford Wolf Pack (AHL)
Charlotte Checkers (ECHL)
Mississippi RiverKings (CHL)
Stanley Cups1927–28, 1932–33, 1939–40, 1993–94
Conference championships1993–94
Division championships1926–27, 1931–32, 1989–90, 1991–92, 1993–94

The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in New York, New York, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six. The Rangers were the first NHL franchise in the United States to win the Stanley Cup,[1] which they have done four times (most recently in 1994).[2]

Franchise history

See also: History of the New York Rangers

Early years

In 1925, the New York Americans (also known as the "Amerks") joined the National Hockey League, playing in Madison Square Garden. The Amerks proved to be an even greater success than expected, leading Garden president Tex Rickard to go after a team for the Garden despite promising the Amerks that they would be the only hockey team to play there.[3]

Rickard was granted a franchise to begin play in the 1926–27 season, and he originally planned to name it the New York Giants. However, the New York press soon nicknamed his team "Tex's Rangers", and the new name stuck. Rickard managed to get future legendary Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe to assemble the team. However, Smythe had a falling-out with Rickard's hockey man, Col. John S. Hammond, and was fired as manager-coach on the eve of the first season — he was paid a then-hefty $2,500 to leave. Smythe was replaced by Pacific Coast Hockey Association co-founder Lester Patrick.[4] The new team turned out to be a winner. The Rangers won the American Division title their first year but lost to the Boston Bruins in the playoffs.[5][6] The team's early success led to players becoming minor celebrities and fixtures in New York City's Roaring 20's nightlife. It was also during this time, playing at the Garden on 48th Street, blocks away from Times Square, that the Rangers obtained their now-famous nickname "The Broadway Blueshirts".

On December 13, 1929, the New York Rangers became the first team in the NHL to travel by plane when they hired the Curtiss-Wright Corporation to fly them to Toronto for a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs which they would lose 7-6.[7]

1927–28 Stanley Cup

In only their second season, the Rangers won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Maroons three games to two.[8] One of the most memorable stories that emerged from the Finals involved Patrick playing in goal at the age of 44. At the time, teams were not required to dress a backup goaltender so when the Rangers' regular goaltender, Lorne Chabot, left a game with an eye injury, Maroons head coach Eddie Gerard vetoed his original choice for a replacement (who was Alex Connell, another NHL goalie of the old Ottawa Senators who was in attendance for the game). An angry Patrick lined up between the pipes for two periods in game two of the Stanley Cup Finals, allowing one goal to Maroons center Nels Stewart. Frank Boucher would score the game-winning goal in overtime for New York.[9] An expansion team would not come this far this fast in North American professional sports until the Philadelphia Atoms won the North American Soccer League title in their first year of existence.

1932–33 Stanley Cup

File:NYR1932 33.jpg
The 1932–33 New York Rangers team picture autographed by Lester Patrick

After a loss to the Bruins in the 1928–29 finals[10] and a few mediocre seasons in the early 1930s, the Rangers, led by brothers Bill and Bun Cook on the right and left wings, respectively, and Frank Boucher at center, would defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1932–33 best-of-five finals, three games to one, to win their second Stanley Cup, exacting revenge on the Leafs' "Kid line" of Busher Jackson, Joe Primeau, and Charlie Conacher. The Rangers would spend the rest of the 1930s playing close to .500 hockey until their next Cup win. Lester Patrick stepped down as head coach and was replaced by Frank Boucher.[11]

1939–40 Stanley Cup

In 1939–40 NHL season, the Rangers finished the regular season in second place behind the Boston Bruins. The two teams would meet in the first round of the playoffs. The Bruins gained a two-games-to-one series lead from the Rangers until they recovered to win three straight games, defeating the first-place Bruins four games to two. The Rangers' first-round victory gave them a bye until the finals. The Detroit Red Wings disposed of the New York Americans in their first round best-of-three series two games to one (even as the Americans had analytical and notorious ex-Bruins star Eddie Shore) and the Toronto Maple Leafs ousted the Chicago Black Hawks two games to none. The Maple Leafs and Red Wings would play a best-of-three series to determine who would go on to play the Rangers in the Cup Finals. The Maple Leafs swept the Red Wings and the Finals match-up was determined. The 1940 Stanley Cup Finals started in Madison Square Garden in New York. The first two games went to the Rangers. In game one the Rangers needed overtime to gain a 1–0 series lead, but they won game two more easily with a 6–2 victory. The series then headed to Toronto where the Maple Leafs won the next two games, tying the series 2–2. In games five and six, the Rangers won in overtime, taking the series four games to two to earn their third Stanley Cup.

The Rangers would collapse by the mid-1940s, losing games by as much as 15–0 and having one goaltender with a 6.20 goals-against average. They would miss the playoffs for five consecutive seasons before squeaking into the fourth and final playoff spot in 1948. They lost in the first round and would miss the playoffs again in 1948–49 NHL season. In the 1950 Stanley Cup Finals, the Rangers were forced to play all of their games on the road (home games in Toronto) while the circus was at the Garden. They would end up losing to the Detroit Red Wings in overtime in the seventh game of the finals, despite a stellar first-round performance as underdogs to the Montreal Canadiens.

During this time, Red Wings owner James E. Norris became the largest stockholder in the Garden. However, he did not buy controlling interest in the arena, which would have violated the NHL's rule against one person owning more than one team. Nonetheless, he had enough support on the board to exercise de facto control.

The post-Original Six era

File:NewYorkRangers1940s.png
New York Rangers logo (used 1935–48)

The Rangers remained a mark of futility in the NHL for most of the remainder of the Original Six era, missing the playoffs in 12 of the next 16 years. However, the team was rejuvenated in the late 1960s, symbolized by moving into a newly rebuilt Madison Square Garden in 1968. A year earlier, they made the playoffs for the first time in five years on the strength of rookie goaltender Eddie Giacomin and acquired 1950s Montreal Canadiens star right wing Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion.

The Rangers made the Finals twice in the 1970s, but lost both times to two '70s powerhouses; in six games to the Boston Bruins in 1972, who were led by such stars as Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge, Johnny Bucyk, and Wayne Cashman; and in five games to the Canadiens in 1979, who had Bob Gainey, Guy Lafleur, Larry Robinson, Ken Dryden, Guy Lapointe, and Serge Savard. This time the Rangers had Esposito, but it didn't matter, as the Canadiens were dominant.

By 1972, the Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Finals despite losing high-scoring center Jean Ratelle (who had been on pace over Bruin Phil Esposito to become the first Ranger since Bryan Hextall in 1942 to lead the NHL in scoring) to injury during the stretch drive of the regular season. The strength of players like Brad Park, and the GAG line meaning "goal-a-game" had Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield and Rod Gilbert (the last three constructing the famed GAG line meaning "goal-a-game") would still carry them through the playoffs. They would defeat the defending-champion Canadiens in the first round and the Chicago Blackhawks in the second, but lost to the Bruins in the finals.

The Rangers played a legendary semifinal series against the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1973–74 playoffs. This series was noted for a game seven fight between Dale Rolfe of the Rangers and Dave Schultz of the Flyers. Schultz pummeled Rolfe without anyone on the Rangers lifting a finger to protect him (the GAG line was on the ice at the time). This lead to the belief that the Rangers of that period were soft, especially when taking into account the bullying endured by the Rangers during the 1972 finals. One example is Gilbert's beating at the hands of Derek Sanderson of the Bruins.

Their new rivals, the New York Islanders, who entered the league in 1972 after paying a huge territorial fee — some $4 million — to the Rangers, were their first-round opponent in 1975. After splitting the first two games, the Islanders defeated the more-established Rangers eleven seconds into overtime of the deciding game three, establishing a rivalry that continued to grow for years.

After some off years in the mid-to-late 1970s, they picked up Esposito and Carol Vadnais from the Bruins for Park, Ratelle, and Joe Zanussi in 1975. Swedish stars Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson jumped to the Rangers from the maverick World Hockey Association. And in 1979 they defeated the surging Islanders in the semi-finals and would return to the finals again before bowing out to the Canadiens. The Islanders got their revenge, however, eliminating the Rangers in four consecutive playoff series starting in 1981 en route to their second of four consecutive Stanley Cup titles.

The Rangers stayed competitive through the 1980s and early 1990s, making the playoffs each year except for one but never going very far. An exception was 1985–86, when the Rangers, behind rookie goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, upended the Patrick Division-winning Flyers in five games followed by a six-game win over the Washington Capitals in the Patrick Division Finals. Montreal disposed of the Rangers in the Wales Conference Finals behind a rookie goaltender of their own, Patrick Roy. The Rangers then acquired superstar center Marcel Dionne after almost 12 years as a Los Angeles King the next year. In 1988, Dionne moved into third place in career goals scored (since bettered by Brett Hull). But Dionne's always-churning legs started to slow the next year, thereby ensuring that his goals came further and further apart. “Because you love the game so much, you think it will never end,” said Dionne, who spent nine games in the minors before retiring in 1989. He would only play 49 playoff games in 17 seasons with the Rangers, Kings, and Detroit Red Wings.

The many playoff failures convinced Rangers fans that this was a manifestation of the Curse of 1940, which is said to either have begun when the Rangers management burnt the mortgage to Madison Square Garden in the bowl of the Stanley Cup after the 1940 victory or by Red Dutton following the collapse of the New York Americans franchise. In the early 1980s, Islander fans began chanting "1940! 1940!" to taunt the Rangers. Fans in other cities soon picked up the chant.

Frustration was at its peak when the 1991–92 squad captured the Presidents' Trophy. They took a 2–1 series lead on the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins and then faltered in three straight (most observers note a Ron Francis slapshot from the blue line that eluded Mike Richter as the series' turning point). The following year, a 1–11 finish landed the Rangers in the cellar of the Patrick Division. Coach Roger Neilson did not finish the season. The off-season hiring of controversial head coach Mike Keenan was criticized by many who pointed out Keenan's 0–3 record in the finals.

During this period, the Rangers were owned by Gulf+Western, which was renamed to Paramount Communications in 1989, and sold to Viacom in 1994. Viacom then sold the team to ITT Corporation and Cablevision, and a couple of years later, ITT sold their ownership stake to Cablevision, who still owns the team today.

1993–94 Stanley Cup: the ending of the curse

The 1993–94 season was a magical one for Rangers fans, as Keenan led the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years.[2] Two years prior, they picked up center Mark Messier, who was an integral part of the Edmonton Oilers' Cup-winning teams. Adam Graves, who also defected from the Oilers, joined the Rangers as well. Other ex-Oilers on the Blueshirts included trade deadline acquisitions Craig MacTavish (and former Oilers head coach) and Glenn Anderson. Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov were a solid 1-2 punch on defence. In fact, Zubov led the team in scoring that season with 89 points, and continued to be an all-star defenceman throughout his career. Graves would set a team record with 52 goals, breaking the old record of 50 held by Vic Hadfield. This record would later be broken by Jaromir Jagr on April 8, 2006, against the Boston Bruins.

After clinching the Presidents' Trophy by finishing with the best record in the NHL at 52–24–8, setting a franchise record with 112 points, they cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs, sweeping arch-rival New York Islanders, who were seeded eighth in the first round, and then breezed by the Washington Capitals, seeded seventh, in five. However, things got interesting in the Conference Finals against the third-seeded New Jersey Devils. The Rangers lost the series opener at home in double overtime, but won the next two games before the Devils shut down the New York offense and defeated them 3-1 and 4-1. The series headed back to the Meadowlands for what seemed like another inevitable Rangers' conclusion, but the day before that sixth game, Rangers' captain Mark Messier stepped up and guaranteed a win. Keenan recounted later:

Mark was sending a message to his teammates that he believed together we could win. He put on an amazing performance to make sure it happened.[12]

In that sixth game, Messier rose to the occasion and scored three goals to lead the Rangers to a 4-2 win and set up a seventh game back at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers won the final game of the series 2-1, when Stephane Matteau scored in double overtime to send them to the finals for the first time since 1979. Rangers radio announcer Howie Rose called the play in dramatic fashion:

Fetisov for the Devils plays it cross-ice, into the far corner. "Matteau swoops in to intercept. Matteau behind the net, swings it in front. He scores! Matteau!! Matteau!! Matteau!! Stephane Matteau!! And the Rangers have one more hill to climb, baby! But it's Mount Vancouver! The Rangers are headed to the finals!!!"

The Conference Finals series with the Devils is viewed by many hockey fans as one of the greatest playoff series in NHL history.[13]

Up against the Vancouver Canucks, the Cinderella team from the west, the Rangers again lost the series opener at home in overtime. Leetch hit the crossbar at one end, and the Canucks went down to score the winner at the other. But their experience and poise helped the Rangers to bounce back and they won the next three games, allowing the Canucks just four goals. That set the stage for a game-five Stanley Cup celebration at home, the first time the team had ever been in a position to win a Cup at the Garden. However, the celebration plans got ahead of the work at hand. That night, the Canucks were leading 3-0 by the third minute of the third period. Even though the Rangers scrambled to pull even by the midway point, Vancouver took the lead 29 seconds later and cruised to a 6-3 win. New York's parade hopes were given another jolt two nights later when the Canucks put together a 4-1 win. Keenan recounted about having to play a game seven:

Even though we were up 3-1 in the series and had to play a seventh game, the team was very confident and very poised. We had a lot of experience and a lot of leadership in our room...I told the players they should be proud of themselves...play hard and enjoy the moment. This is what we all dreamed about, playing a seventh game on home ice to win the Stanley Cup.[12]

The seventh game was a classic. The Rangers took a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Leetch and Graves, but Vancouver captain Trevor Linden scored short-handed to cut the lead. Messier scored later on a power play to put the Rangers up 3-1. Linden scored a power play goal early in the third, but the Rangers managed to hang on, 3-2, as the Garden erupted in tears and cheers. CBC Hockey Night in Canada announcer Bob Cole was the first to call the Rangers' win and it was the most memorable one, calling at the final faceoff, with 1.6 seconds to go, and it was the most memorable one to the Rangers' win, but it brought tears to his partner, Harry Neale[14]: "The New York Rangers have done it here on a hot June night in New York! The Rangers are Stanley Cup Champions!"

One fan in the stands held up a sign that said it all: NOW I CAN DIE IN PEACE. Keenan recounted about the sign:

It's funny though, I had been in situations like that before when there was a huge sense of relief when it was over, but not this time. It was all about celebrating.[12]

He also recounted about the tears among the fans: "I remember when we finally won it, I was standing on the bench...People were in the stands crying. I was just standing on the bench taking it all in."[12]

In the CBC broadcast booth, Neale was also crying, but it was from the Rangers ending Vancouver's Cinderella march to their first Stanley Cup, though they did far better than during the one of 1982, their other Finals' appearance, when they made it all the way to the Finals after entering the playoffs with a losing record and sweeping the Calgary Flames, only to be swept by the Islanders, having taken the finals all the way to the seventh game after ralling from a 3-1 series deficit to upset Calgary, and from what he had been through then when Canucks general manager when they got swept.[14] Both 1982 and 1994 Finals were coast-to-coast Stanley Cup Finals. The 1994 Final was the second coast-to-coast final, and to this date, the most recent coast-to-coast final played on both sides of the border, as the one in 2003 was played entirely in the United States.

Leetch became the first American-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, the first non-Canadian to win it, and Messier became the first Stanley Cup captain on two different teams. Also, the Rangers became the first (and to this date, only) NHL team to host an All-Star Game, have one of its own named MVP of the All-Star Game, win the Presidents' Trophy, and win the Stanley Cup in one season; the Rangers hosted the 1994 All-Star Game and Richter was MVP of that game. No one from the Colorado Avalanche was named MVP of the All-Star Game in 2001.

Because the New York Knicks were in the NBA Finals, though they fell to the Houston Rockets in seven games, when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup, the Rangers' first Stanley Cup championship in 54 years became a great part of a great chapter in New York sports history, according to Chicago Bulls Coach Phil Jackson (himself a former Knick and now coach of the Los Angeles Lakers)[15] because of all of Keenan's experiences in Chicago being part of a concurrent finals series in basketball and hockey in the same city. In 1992, he coached the Blackhawks to the Stanley Cup Finals, though they got swept by the Pittsburgh Penguins, as Jackson coached the Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, to the second of their first three straight NBA titles. This great chapter helped him draw many parallels between the two dramas, with the Rangers' win being one of them, according to Jackson,[15] because they had many characteristics that were there in his 1992 Bulls.[15]

The Rangers' Stanley Cup win was the last hurrah for the great Oliers dynasty of the 1980's as "New York's Oilers Beat Canucks."[16]

1994–2004: expensive acquisitions

Wayne Gretzky in a Rangers uniform in 1997

Despite having coached the Rangers to a regular season first place finish and the Stanley Cup, head coach Mike Keenan left after a dispute with General Manager Neil Smith. During the 1994–95 lockout-shortened season, the Rangers struggled to find their form and lost in the second round of the playoffs. They snuck in with the eighth seed and defeated Quebec in the first round, but were swept by Philadelphia in the second round. Succeeding Rangers coach Colin Campbell orchestrated a deal that sent Sergei Zubov and center Petr Nedved to Pittsburgh in exchange for defenseman Ulf Samuelsson and left winger Luc Robitaille in the summer of 1995.

The Rangers landed an aging Wayne Gretzky in 1996, but even with The Great One, they would fizzle out. Their 1994 stars were aging and many retired or dropped off in performance. Gretzky's greatest accomplishment was leading them to the 1997 Eastern Conference finals, where they lost 4–1 to the Eric Lindros-led Philadelphia Flyers. After General Manager Neil Smith ran Messier, a former Oiler teammate of Gretzky's, out of town in the summer of 1997 and failed in a bid to replace him with Colorado Avalanche superstar Joe Sakic,[17] the Rangers began a streak of seven seasons without making the playoffs, despite routinely having the highest payroll in the league.

In March 2000, Smith was fired along with head coach John Muckler, and, that summer, James Dolan hired Glen Sather to replace him.[18] By the end of the 2000–01 season, the Rangers had landed a lot of star power. Mark Messier had returned to New York, Theoren Fleury joined the Rangers after spending most of his career with the Calgary Flames,[19] and Eric Lindros was traded to the Rangers from the Philadelphia Flyers.[20] The Rangers also acquired Pavel Bure late in the 2001–02 season from the Florida Panthers.[21] It was the rookie season of goalie Dan Blackburn, who made the NHL All-Rookie Team even as the Rangers fell back to last place in the conference.[22] Despite these high-priced acquisitions the Rangers still finished out of the playoffs. Later years saw other stars such as Alexei Kovalev, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Rucinsky and Bobby Holik added, but in 2002–03 and 2003–04, the team again missed the playoffs. Blackburn started strongly in 2002–03, but burned out after 17 games. He missed 2003–04 due to mononucleosis and a damaged nerve in his left shoulder. Blackburn could not rehabilitate the damaged nerve, and was forced to retire at age 22.[23]

2005–present: post-lockout success

Towards the end of the 2003–04 season Sather finally gave in to a rebuilding process by trading away Leetch, Kovalev, and eight others for numerous prospects and draft picks. With the retirements of Bure and Messier as well as Lindros signing with the Maple Leafs, the post-lockout Rangers, under new head coach Tom Renney, moved away from high-priced veterans towards a group of talented young players, such as Petr Prucha, Dominic Moore, and Blair Betts. However, the focus of the team remained on veteran superstar Jaromir Jagr. The Rangers were expected to struggle during the 2005–06 season for their eighth consecutive season out of the postseason. For example, Sports Illustrated declared them the worst team in the league in their season preview,[24] but behind stellar performances by Swedish rookie goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Straka, Prucha, and Jagr, the Rangers finished the season with their best record since 1993–94 (44–26–12).

Jaromir Jagr broke the Rangers' single-season points record with a first-period assist in a 5–1 win against the New York Islanders on March 29, 2006.[25] The assist gave him 110 points on the season, breaking Jean Ratelle's record.[26] Less than two weeks later, on April 8, Jagr scored his 53rd goal of the season against the Boston Bruins, breaking the club record previously held by Adam Graves.[27] Two games prior, on April 4, the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2, in a shootout, to clinch a playoff spot for the first time since the 1996–97 season.[28] On April 18, the Rangers lost to the Ottawa Senators 5–1, and, due to wins by division rivals New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, the Rangers fell back to third place in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference to end the season.[29] In the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals the Rangers drew a matchup with the Devils and were defeated in a four-game sweep. In the process they were outscored 17–4, as New Jersey netminder Martin Brodeur took two shutouts and a 1.00 goals-against average to Lundqvist's 4.25. In the first game of the series Jagr suffered an undisclosed injury to his left shoulder, diminishing his usefulness as the series went on. Jagr missed game two of the series and was back in the lineup for game three. He was held to one shot on goal. On his first shift of game four, Jagr re-injured his shoulder and was unable to return.

Jagr fell two points short of winning his sixth Art Ross Trophy as scoring champion in 2005–06 (the San Jose Sharks' Joe Thornton claimed the award, his first, with 125 points), but Jagr did win his third Pearson Award as the players' choice for the most outstanding player. He has thus tied Guy Lafleur in third, and needs one more to tie his ex-centerman, Mario Lemieux, in second and two more to tie Wayne Gretzky in first for times receiving the Pearson Award. On opening night of the 2006–07 season, Jagr was named the first team captain since Messier's retirement.[30]

With the Rangers doing so well in 2005–06, expectations were raised for the 2006–07 season, evidenced by Sports Illustrated then predicting the Rangers would finish first in their division.[31] Realizing that the team had trouble scoring goals in the 2005–06 campaign, the Rangers went out and signed long-time Red Wing Brendan Shanahan to a one-year contract. However, the organization remains committed to its rebuilding program despite the signing of the 37-year-old left winger.[32]

Though the Rangers started a bit slow in the first half of the 2006–07 season, the second half was dominated by the stellar goaltending of Henrik Lundqvist. The acquisition of Sean Avery brought new life to the team, and the Rangers finished ahead of Tampa Bay and the Islanders to face Atlanta in the first round of the playoffs. The Rangers swept the series thanks to play from all around the ice. However, the Rangers lost the next round to Buffalo four games to two.

At the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, the Rangers chose Alexei Cherepanov 17th overall. Cherepanov had been ranked by Central Scouting as the number one European skater and was considered to be a top five pick leading up to the draft, but fell due to teams being unsure whether he would ever come to the NHL from Russia.[33] The 2007 free agency season started with a bang for the Rangers signing two high profile centerman, Scott Gomez from the New Jersey Devils for a seven-year, $51.5 million dollar contract as well as Chris Drury from the Buffalo Sabres for a five-year deal worth $32.25 million.[34] The moves, along with retaining most other key players, have been met favorably as the Rangers appeared to be strong Stanley Cup contenders,[35] making the playoffs for the third consecutive season and the second round for the second season in a row. Despite these streaks, the Rangers failed to meet expectations as they lost their second round series 4–1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The New York Rangers were one of four NHL teams to open their 2008–09 season in Europe. The Rangers were featured in the Victoria Cup final, pitting the European Champions Cup winner against an NHL team. The Rangers prevailed, defeating the Metallurg Magnitogorsk, in Bern, Switzerland. After winning the Victoria Cup, the Rangers followed the victory, playing two NHL regular-season games against the Tampa Bay Lightning team in Prague, Czech Republic on October 4 and October 5 at the O2 Sazka Arena. The Rangers won both games 2-1, with goals from newly acquired Wade Redden and Markus Naslund, in addition to goals from the two Alaskan Rangers, returning All-Star, Scott Gomez, and returning rookie, Brandon Dubinsky.

An exciting 5-0-0 start to the season, the team's best since 1983–84, was severely tempered with the news of the tragic death of top prospect Alexei Cherepanov on October 13, 2008. Cherepanov was the team's first round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Cherepanov collapsed on the bench during the third period of a KHL game in Russia. In the locker room, the medical staff was able to revive him a few times, but ultimately, he could not make it. The team is currently seeking compensation. [1]

After a disappointing 2nd half of the season, Head Coach Tom Renney was fired along with Assistant Coach Perry Pearn.[2]

On February 23, 2009, John Tortorella was named head coach of the Rangers. Eight days later, Sean Avery returned to the Rangers, claimed off re-entry waivers from the Dallas Stars. This act requires that the Rangers pay only half his salary, while the Stars are responsible for the remaining half of his salary. On March 4, 2009, the NHL trade deadline, the Rangers acquired Nik Antropov from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional draft pick and a 2nd round draft pick. The Rangers also traded fan favorite Petr Prucha, Nigel Dawes and Dmitri Kalinin to the Phoenix Coyotes for defenceman Derek Morris. Eight days later, Henrik Lundqvist became the first NHL goalie to win 30+ games in his first four seasons with a win over the Nashville Predators.

On April 9, the Rangers qualified for the 2009 playoffs after a home game 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. This makes the fourth year in a row the Rangers have made it to the playoffs.

On April 15, 2009, the Rangers traveled to Washington D.C. as the 7th seed to square off with the 2nd-seeded heavy favorite Washington Capitals. However, in Game 1, the Rangers escaped with a 4-3 victory, capped off by a game-winning goal by Brandon Dubinsky. On the 18th, the Rangers captured Game 2 with a 1-0 shutout by Henrik Lundqvist, who made almost 40 saves in the victory. On the 20th, in the first game of the series in Madison Square Garden, Washington was able to strike back with a 4-0 shutout of their own. Two days later, the Rangers managed to defend their home ice with a score of 2-1 and travel back to Washington with a three games-to-one lead. Henrik Lundqvist had another outstanding performance, not allowing the Capitals' lone goal to Ovechkin until the third period.

Season-by-season record

Further information: List of New York Rangers seasons

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime/Shootout Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Records as of May 5, 2008 [36]

Season GP W L T OTL Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
2003–04 82 27 40 7 8 69 206 250 1459 4th, Atlantic Did not qualify
2004–05 Season canceled due to 2004–05 NHL lockout
2005–061 82 44 26 12 100 257 215 1194 3rd, Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 0-4 (Devils)
2006–07 82 42 30 10 94 242 216 1107 3rd, Atlantic Lost in Conference Semifinals, 2-4 (Sabres)
2007–08 82 42 27 13 97 213 199 917 3rd, Atlantic Lost in Conference Semifinals, 1-4 (Penguins)
2007–08 82 43 30 9 95 210 218 1199 4th, Atlantic Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3-4 (Referees)
1 As of the 2005–06 NHL season, all games will have a winner; the OTL column includes overtime or shootout losses.

Notable players

Current roster

Updated January 1, 2025[37][38]

No. Nat Player Pos S/G Age Acquired Birthplace
65 United States Brett Berard LW L 22 2020 Providence, Rhode Island
17 United States Will Borgen D R 28 2024 Moorhead, Minnesota
22 United States Jonny Brodzinski C R 31 2020 Ham Lake, Minnesota
39 Canada Sam Carrick C R 32 2024 Markham, Ontario
72 Czech Republic Filip Chytil C L 25 2017 Kroměříž, Czech Republic
50 Canada Will Cuylle LW L 22 2020 Toronto, Ontario
70 Canada Louis Domingue G R 32 2022 Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec
84 Sweden Adam Edstrom C L 24 2019 Karlstad, Sweden
23 United States Adam Fox (A) D R 26 2019 Jericho, New York
6 United States Zac Jones D L 24 2019 Glen Allen, Virginia
20 United States Chris Kreider (A) LW L 33 2009 Boxford, Massachusetts
13 Canada Alexis Lafreniere LW L 23 2020 Saint-Eustache, Quebec
55 United States Ryan Lindgren D L 26 2018 Minneapolis, Minnesota
79 United States K'Andre Miller Injured Reserve D L 24 2018 Saint Paul, Minnesota
10 Russia Artemi Panarin (A) LW R 33 2019 Korkino, Soviet Union
32 United States Jonathan Quick G L 38 2023 Milford, Connecticut
73 Canada Matt Rempe C R 22 2020 Calgary, Alberta
4 Canada Braden Schneider D R 23 2020 Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
31 Russia Igor Shesterkin Injured Reserve G L 29 2014 Moscow, Russia
91 Canada Reilly Smith RW L 33 2024 Mimico, Ontario
16 United States Vincent Trocheck C R 31 2022 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
18 Finland Urho Vaakanainen D L 26 2024 Joensuu, Finland
26 United States Jimmy Vesey LW L 31 2022 Boston, Massachusetts
93 Sweden Mika Zibanejad (A) C R 31 2016 Huddinge, Sweden


Hall-of-Famers

Players


Builders


Team captains


First-round draft picks


Retired numbers

  • 1 Eddie Giacomin, G, 1965-75: Number retired on March 15, 1989
  • 2 Brian Leetch, D, 1987-2004: Number retired on January 24, 2008[40]
  • 3 Harry Howell, D, 1952-69: Number retired on February 22, 2009[41]
  • 7 Rod Gilbert, RW, 1961-78: Number retired on October 14, 1979
  • 9 Adam Graves, LW, 1991-2001: Number retired on February 3, 2009[42]
  • 9 Andy Bathgate, RW, 1952-64: Number retired on February 22, 2009[41]
  • 11 Mark Messier, LW/C, 1991-97 & 2000-04: Number retired on January 12, 2006[43]
  • 35 Mike Richter, G, 1989-2003: Number retired on February 4, 2004[44]
  • 99 Wayne Gretzky, C, 1996-99: Number retired league-wide by NHL on February 6, 2000 (No official banner at Madison Square Garden)

Single-season records

Franchise scoring leaders

Further information: New York Rangers records

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.[50]

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Rangers player

Points Goals Assists
Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G
Rod Gilbert RW 1,065 406 615 1,021 .96
Brian Leetch D 1,129 240 741 981 .87
Jean Ratelle C 862 336 481 817 .95
Andy Bathgate RW 719 272 457 729 1.01
Mark Messier LW/C 698 250 441 691 .99
Walt Tkaczuk C 945 227 451 678 .72
Ron Greschner D 982 179 431 610 .62
Steve Vickers LW 698 246 340 586 .84
Vic Hadfield LW 839 262 310 572 .68
Adam Graves LW 772 280 227 507 .66
Player Pos G
Rod Gilbert RW 406
Jean Ratelle C 336
Adam Graves LW 280
Andy Bathgate RW 272
Vic Hadfield LW 262
Camille Henry LW 256
Mark Messier C 250
Steve Vickers LW 246
Brian Leetch D 240
Bill Cook RW 229
Player Pos A
Brian Leetch D 741
Rod Gilbert RW 615
Jean Ratelle C 481
Andy Bathgate RW 457
Walt Tkaczuk C 451
Mark Messier C 441
Ron Greschner D 431
James Patrick D 363
Steve Vickers LW 340
Vic Hadfield LW 310

NHL awards and trophies

The following lists the league awards which have been won by the Rangers team and its players and alumni:[51]

Stanley Cup

Victoria Cup

Presidents' Trophy

Prince of Wales Trophy

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy

Calder Memorial Trophy

Conn Smythe Trophy

Hart Memorial Trophy

James Norris Memorial Trophy

King Clancy Memorial Trophy

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy

Lester Patrick Trophy

Lester B. Pearson Award

NHL Plus/Minus Award[59]

Vezina Trophy


Broadcast history

Television

  • Bob Wolff (1969–70–1973–74): color analyst
  • Jim Gordon (1969–70; 1973–74–1983–84): play-by-play[60]
  • Tim Ryan (1970–71–1971–72): play-by-play
  • Bill Mazer (1970–71): color analyst
  • Norm Maclean (1971–72): color analyst
  • Sal Marchiano (1972–73): play-by-play
  • Bill Chadwick (1972–73–1980–81): color analyst
  • Mike Eruzione (1981–82–1982–83): color analyst
  • Phil Esposito (1981–82–1985–86): color analyst
  • Bruce Beck (1982–83–1993–94): host; alternate play-by-play
  • John Davidson (1983–84; 1986–87–2005–06): color analyst[61][62]
  • Sam Rosen (1984–85–present): play-by-play[63]
  • Al Trautwig (1992–93–present): host
  • John Giannone (2005–06–present): alternate host; second alternate play-by play
  • Mike Crispino (2005–06–2006–07): alternate play-by-play
  • Dave Maloney (2005–06–2006–07): alternate color analyst[64]
  • Joe Micheletti (2006–07–present): color analyst[65]
  • Bob Wischusen (2006–07–present): alternate play-by-play

Radio

  • Marv Albert (1967–68–2003–04): play-by-play
  • Bill Chadwick (1967–68–1971–72): color analyst
  • Dave Marash (1970–71): color analyst
  • Gene Stuart (1972–73): color analyst
  • Spencer Ross (1973–74–1976–77): play-by-play (currently alternate)
  • Sal Messina (1974–75–2002–03): color analyst
  • Sam Rosen (1977–78–1983–84): play-by-play; host
  • Mike "Doc" Emrick (1983–84–1987–88): color analyst; host
  • Howie Rose (1989–90–1994–95): alternate play-by-play
  • Kenny Albert (1995–96–present): play-by-play[66]
  • Brian Mullen (2003–04): color analyst
  • Dave Maloney (2005–06–present): color analyst[64]
  • Don LaGreca (2005–06–present): host
  • Mike Crispino (2005–06–present): alternate play-by-play
  • Bob Wischusen (2005–06–present): alternate play-by-play
  • Pete Stemkowski (2005–06–present): alternate color analyst


See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to New York Rangers.

Notes

  1. ^ Anderson, Dave (May 14, 1995). "Sports of The Times; At Boston Garden, There's Much More Gold Than Green". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  2. ^ a b Vecsey, George. "Houston Finally Has An Edge", New York Times, 1994-06-24. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  3. ^ Boland Jr., Ed (2003-02-16). "F.Y.I." New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  4. ^ Anderson, Dave (1994-05-15). "Sports of The Times; The Original Ranger, Murray Murdoch, Turns 90". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  5. ^ "NHL Standings". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  6. ^ "1926-27 NHL Playoff Results". The Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  7. ^ Dryden, Steve (2000). The Hockey News: Century Of Hockey. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart Ltd. p. 32. ISBN 0-7710-4179-9.
  8. ^ "Stanley Cup history". USA Today. 2002-06-14. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  9. ^ Brink, Graham (2004-06-05). "Injuries sideline players only rarely". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  10. ^ Anderson, Dave. "At Boston Garden, There's Much More Gold Than Green", New York Times, 1995-05-14. Retrieved on 2008-06-17.
  11. ^ "Team History". New York Rangers. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
  12. ^ a b c d Morrison, Scott (2008). Hockey Night in Canada: My Greatest Day. Toronto: Key Porter Books. pp. 106–109. ISBN 978-1-55470-086-8.
  13. ^ Rangers Vs Devils stanley cup playoffs 1994
  14. ^ a b CBC Broadcast of Game 7, June 14, 1994
  15. ^ a b c "Spring of '94," MSG Network
  16. ^ Cole, Stephen (2004). The Best of Hockey Night in Canada. Toronto: McArthur & Company. p. 128. ISBN 1-55278-408-8.
  17. ^ The Hockey Rodent (2004-02-09). "The Curse". Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  18. ^ "Rangers Hire Sather". Associated Press. 2000-05-31. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  19. ^ "Theo Fleury signs with Rangers". Associated Press. 1999-07-08. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  20. ^ "Lindros joins Rangers nine years after first trade". Associated Press. 2001-08-24. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  21. ^ Allen, Kevin (2002-03-19). "Panthers trade Pavel Bure to Rangers". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  22. ^ "Dan Blackburn Selected to 2001-02 NHL All-Rookie Team" (Press release). New York Rangers. 2002-06-20. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  23. ^ "Dan Blackburn to Retire" (Press release). New York Rangers. 2005-05-25. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  24. ^ Kennedy, Kostya (2005-10-03), "Sports Illustrated's NHL Preview - New York Rangers", Sports Illustrated, retrieved 2007-08-08
  25. ^ "Box Score - Rangers 5, Islanders 1". 2006-03-29. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  26. ^ "Game Notes - Rangers 5, Islanders 1". 2006-03-29. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  27. ^ "Game Notes - Rangers 4, Boston Bruins 3 (OT)". 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  28. ^ "Game Notes - Rangers 3, Philadelphia Flyers 2 (SO)". 2006-04-04. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  29. ^ "Game Notes - Rangers 1, Ottawa Senators 5". 2006-04-18. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  30. ^ "Jagr named 24th captain in Rangers history" (Press release). New York Rangers. 2006-10-05. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  31. ^ "SI's 2006–07 NHL Preview: Atlantic Division", Sports Illustrated, 2006-09-25, retrieved 2007-08-08
  32. ^ Silverstein, Dubi (2007-07-27). "Rangers Rebuild While Winning". Blueshirt Bulletin. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  33. ^ Weinman, Sam (2007-06-27). "Rangers have high hopes for top pick Cherepanov". The Journal News. Retrieved 2007-08-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ Weinman, Sam (2007-07-02). "Rangers sign top tier centers Drury, Gomez". The Journal News. Retrieved 2007-08-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Greenstein, Kevin (2007-08-16). "Peca Would Complete Renovation of Ranger Offense". The New York Sun. Retrieved 2007-08-16. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ "The Internet Hockey Database - New York Rangers". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  37. ^ "New York Rangers Roster". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  38. ^ "New York Rangers Hockey Transactions". The Sports Network. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  39. ^ "Rangers Records - Captains". Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  40. ^ Dellapina, John (2007-09-06). "Leetch's number headed for Garden rafters". New York Daily News. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  41. ^ a b "Rangers Will Honor 3 Greats in February". newyorkrangers.com. 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2008-08-21.
  42. ^ "Graves No. 9 to be retired in 2008-09". newyorkrangers.com. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
  43. ^ "Rangers hoist Messier's No. 11 to Garden rafters". Associated Press. 2006-01-13. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  44. ^ "Goalie won 301 games with New York". Associated Press. 2004-02-05. Retrieved 2007-12-04.
  45. ^ a b c d e "Rangers Records - Single-Season Leaders". Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  46. ^ Diamos, Jason (2006-03-19). "Jagr Continues Assault on Rangers' Records". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  47. ^ a b "Jaromir Jagr Official Player Page". Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  48. ^ Sexton, Joe (1990-04-18). "Mallette Gives Rangers More Than A Rough Edge". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-11-27. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  49. ^ "New York Rangers goaltending records". Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  50. ^ "Rangers All-Time Roster - Career Leaders". Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  51. ^ "NHL Award Winners". Retrieved 2007-11-27.
  52. ^ "Andy Hebenton's profile at hockeydb.com". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  53. ^ "Terry Sawchuk - Career Statistics". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  54. ^ "Emile Francis - Biography". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  55. ^ "Frank Boucher - Biography". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  56. ^ "Brian Patrick Mullen". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  57. ^ "Herb Brooks - Biography". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  58. ^ Podell, Ira (2007-11-07). "Leetch, Cammi Granato among 4 winners of Lester Patrick Award". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  59. ^ "NHL Plus Minus Award Winners". Retrieved 2007-11-19.
  60. ^ "Longtime Broadcaster Jim Gordon Remembered" (Press release). New York Rangers. 2003-02-18. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  61. ^ "St. Louis Blues-Team: John Davidson, President of Hockey Operations". Retrieved 2008-12-18.
  62. ^ "Rangers broadcaster John Davidson named president of Blues" (Press release). New York Rangers. 2006-06-30. Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  63. ^ "Sam Rosen - New York Rangers Television Play-By-Play Announcer". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  64. ^ a b "Dave Maloney - New York Rangers Radio Analyst". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  65. ^ "Joe Micheletti - New York Rangers Television Analyst". Retrieved 2007-08-09.
  66. ^ "Kenny Albert - New York Rangers Radio Play-By-Play". Retrieved 2007-08-09.

References

  • Losing the Edge: The Rise and Fall of the Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers by Barry Meisel (1995) (ISBN 0-684-81519-2)
  • New York Rangers: Millennium Memories by the NY Daily News (2000) (ISBN 1-58261-147-5)
  • New York Rangers: Seventy-Five Years by John Halligan (2000) (ISBN 0-7607-2298-6)
  • The New York Rangers: Broadway's Longest Running Hit by John Kreiser and Lou Friedman (1997) (ISBN 1-57167-041-6)
  • The New York Rangers (Images of Sports) by John Halligan (2003) (ISBN 0-7385-1228-1)
  • The Rangers by Brian McFarlane (1997) (ISBN 0-7737-6007-5)
  • Thin Ice: A Season in Hell With the New York Rangers by Larry Sloman (1981) (ISBN 0-440-18571-8)
  • Rangers' Biggest Trades Since 1990 (October 6, 2006)
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