Rangers Announce 2016 Traverse City Roster

Monday, 08.29.2016 / 12:05 PM ET / News

New York Rangers

The New York Rangers have announced their roster for the 2016 Traverse City Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. The Blueshirts are making their 10th consecutive appearance in the eight-team tournament, which is set to begin on Friday, September 16.
New York’s roster features 25 prospects (15 forwards, eight defensemen, and two goaltenders), including three of the team’s selections in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft: Sean Day, Tim Gettinger, and Ty Ronning. The roster also includes 2016 Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey, who signed with the Rangers as a free agent on August 19, 2016, as well as forward Pavel Buchnevich, who will be participating in the Traverse City Tournament for the first time.
Several of the prospects on this year’s roster also represented the Rangers at the 2015 Traverse City Tournament, including 2015 draft picks Ryan Gropp, Brad Morrison, and Sergey Zborovskiy. In addition, 2015 draft pick Robin Kovacs will participate in the Traverse City Tournament for the first time this year. Traverse City, Michigan, native Brandon Halverson, who did not appear in a game during last year’s tournament due to injury, is one of two goaltenders on the Rangers’ roster this year. Twelve of the 25 players on this year’s roster were selected by the Rangers in the NHL Entry Draft.
The Rangers are one of four teams that comprise the Ted Lindsay Division, along with the Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild. The Blueshirts begin the tournament with a contest against Carolina on Friday, September 16 at 4:00 p.m. New York will face Dallas on Saturday, September 17 at 3:30 p.m. and the Wild on Monday, September 19 at 3:00 p.m. Following their three round-robin games, the Rangers will have a placement game against a team from the Gordie Howe Division on Tuesday, September 20. In the nine years the Rangers have previously participated in the Traverse City Tournament, they have reached the Championship Game twice and won the Tournament in 2007. Current Blueshirts such as Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, Marc Staal, J.T. Miller, Jesper Fast, Oscar Lindberg, Kevin Hayes, and Brady Skjei all represented the team at the tournament in recent years.

In every year since the Rangers began participating in the Traverse City Tournament in 2006, at least one Rangers prospect who represented the team in the tournament also appeared in a game with the Blueshirts during the same season.

NYR TODAY Wed 8/31: Rembering Vadnais, Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

August 31, 2014: Remembering Carol Vadnais

Carol Vadnais, who was a mainstay on the Rangers' blueline for seven seasons, passed away on Sunday August 31, 2014 at the age of 68.

Vadnais was part of one of the most prolific trades in Rangers history. On November 7, 1975, the Blueshirts acquired him and Phil Esposito from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Brad Park, Jean Ratelle, and Joe Zanussi.

In his first season with the Rangers, Vadnais quickly showed why he was one of the top all-around defensemen in the NHL. He led all Rangers defensemen with 50 points (20 goals and 30 assists) in 64 games after he was acquired, and was selected to play in his fifth career NHL All-Star Game.

Vadnais tallied at least 40 points in each of the following three seasons, and led all team defensemen in points with 48 during the 1976-77 season. He was selected to play in his second NHL All-Star Game as a member of the Rangers in 1977-78, as he recorded 46 points (six goals, 40 assists) in a career-high 80 games.

In 1978-79, the Montreal, Quebec native was a key contributor in one of the most memorable playoff runs in Rangers history. After finishing the regular season with 45 points, Vadnais tallied 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 18 playoff games as the Rangers advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.

Vadnais skated in 485 career games with the Rangers, registering 56 goals and 190 assists for 246 points, along with 690 penalty minutes. He ranks 11th in franchise history in goals, assists, and points by a defenseman. Vadnais also skated in his 1,000th career NHL game as a member of the Rangers on November 21, 1981 against the Islanders.

Over a 17-year NHL career with the Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils, Vadnais tallied 169 goals and 418 assists for 587 points, along with 1,813 penalty minutes in 1,087 career games. He was selected to play in the NHL All-Star Game six times during his career. Vadnais was also a member of Team Canada at the 1976 Canada Cup, and represented Team Canada at the 1977 World Championships.

He reached the playoffs in 13 of his 17 NHL seasons. Vadnais appeared in 106 career playoff games, registering 10 goals and 40 assists for 50 points, along with 185 penalty minutes. He won the Stanley Cup twice in his career - in 1967-68 with Montreal and in 1971-72 with Boston.

Vadnais tallied five goals and 16 assists for 21 points in 54 career playoff games with the Rangers. He ranks 12th in franchise history in points by a defensemen in the playoffs, and is tied for 12th in franchise history in goals and assists by a defenseman in the playoffs.

NYR Alumni Birthdays August 31: 
Fern Gauthier RW (1943-1944) Bryce Lampman D (2003-2007)

Fern Gauthier
Seasons with Rangers: 1
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 33 GP, 14 G, 10 A, 24PTS
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Loaned to Rangers by Montreal with Dutch Hiller, John Mahaffy, Charlie Sands and future considerations (Tony Demers) in exchange for the loan of Phil Watson on Oct. 27, 1943.
Departed
Returned to Montreal following the 1943-44 season.
RANGERS DEBUT
Dec. 19, 1943 (Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
March 19, 1944 (Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens)
Uniform Number: 9
Retired from pro hockey: 1950

Bryce Lampman
Seasons with Rangers: 3
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 10
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Minor-league games: 258
Minor-league teams: Hartford (AHL) 2002-2007
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in Round 4 of 2001 NHL Entry Draft (Fourth Rangers pick, No. 113 overall).
Departed
2007 Signed With European Team - TPS Turku-Finnish League, Traded by Rangers to Tampa Bay for Mitch Fritz
RANGERS DEBUT
March 9, 2004 (Rangers at Atlanta Thrashers)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
February 3, 2007 (Rangers at Tampa Bay)
Uniform Numbers: 38, 33, 26
Retired from pro hockey: 2015

Today in NYR History August 31, 1995:

The New York Rangers acquire left wing Luc Robitaille and defenseman Ulf Samuelsson from the Pittsburgh Penguins for center Petr Nedved and defenseman Sergei Zubov. The deal comes after Robitaille spends one season with the Penguins after scoring at least 44 goals in each of his first eight seasons with the Los Angeles Kings. Robitaille scores 23 and 24 goals in two seasons with the Rangers before being traded back to the Kings. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

Forward Ahti Oksanen Signs with Pack

(Photo by Matt Dewkett, SB Nation)

Wolf Pack general manager Jim Schoenfeld announced today that the Wolf Pack has signed forward Ahti Oksanen to an AHL contract.

Oksanen, a 6-3, 215-pound native of Kirkkonummi, Finland, finished a four-year career at Boston University (Hockey East) in 2015-16.  The 23-year-old Oksanen led the Terrier squad in plus/minus this past season, with a +19, and finished second on the team in points and goals, totaling 15-21-36 in 39 games.

As a Junior in 2014-15, Oksanen helped lead B.U. to the NCAA “Frozen Four” championship game (a 4-3 loss to Providence College), scoring 25 goals and adding 13 assists for 38 points in 40 games.  Those totals were good for second among Terrier skaters, and second in Hockey East, in goals and a tie for fourth on the B.U. team in points.

In 150 career games in a Boston University uniform, Oksanen amassed totals of 51 goals and 64 assists for 115 points, along with 66 penalty minutes.

The Wolf Pack’s twentieth-anniversary 2016-17 season begins Friday, October 14 at the XL Center with the Wolf Pack’s home opener, a 7:15 PM contest vs. the St. John’s IceCaps.  A special discount package is available for the home opener, including one Red-level ticket to the October 14 game, as well as one complimentary Red-level ticket to an October, November or December Wolf Pack home game of the purchaser’s choice.  Plus, every package purchased will feature a $5 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card.  The Opening Night package is priced at $30, and will is available for purchase through September 7.  The special package is available only through the Wolf Pack’s official website, www.hartfordwolfpack.com.

via Hartford Wolf Pack.

NYR TODAY Tues 8/30: Alumni Birthdays

NYR Alumni Birthdays August 30: 
Duke Dutkowski D (1933-1934) Dunc Fisher RW (1948-1950) Guy Gendron LW (1955-58,1961-62) Vladmir Malakhov D (2000-2004) Mike McMahon JR D (1953-66,1971-72) Simon Wheeldon C (1988-1989)

Duke Dutkowski
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1933-34)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 29
Playoff Games with Rangers: 2
Acquired
NHL rights sold to Rangers by New York Americans on Jan. 3, 1934.
Departed
Retired from pro hockey 1934
Uniform Number: 18

Dunc Fisher
Seasons with Rangers: 3 (1948-1950)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 142
Playoff Games with Rangers: 13
Minor-league games: 70
Minor-league teams: New Haven (AHL) 1947-48; St. Paul (USHL) 1950
Acquired
Scouted and signed by Rangers organization as a free agent in 1947.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Boston in exchange for Ed Harrison and Zellio Toppazzini on Nov. 16, 1950.
Uniform Number: 12
Retired from pro hockey: 1960

Guy Gendron
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (1955-1958; 1961-62)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 272
Playoff Games with Rangers: 22
Acquired
1. NHL rights traded to Rangers by Providence (AHL) in exchange for Bill Ezinicki and cash on May 8, 1955; 2. Claimed by Rangers in NHL Intra-League Draft in June 1961.
Departed
1. Claimed by Boston in NHL Intra-League Draft on June 3, 1958; 2. Claimed by Boston in NHL Intra-League Draft in June 1962.
Uniform Numbers: 10, 7
Retired from pro hockey: 1974

Vladmir Malakhov
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (2000-2004)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 211
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on July 10, 2000.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Philadelphia in exchange for Rick Kozak and 2005 second-round draft pick (later traded) on March 8, 2004.
Uniform Number: 23
Retired from pro hockey: 2005

Mike McMahon JR
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (1963-1966; 1971-72)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 61
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Minor-league games: 403
Minor-league teams: Guelph (OHA) 1959-1962; Kitchener-Waterloo (EPHL) 1961-62; Sudbury (EPHL) 1962-63; Baltimore (AHL) 1963-1965; St. Paul/Minnesota (CHL) 1963-1966; Providence (AHL) 1971-72
Acquired
1. Scouted and signed by Rangers as a free agent in 1959; 2. Traded to Rangers by Los Angeles in exchange for Wayne Rivers in May 1971.
Departed
1. Claimed by Montreal in NHL Intra-League Draft on June 15, 1966; 2. Entered WHA in 1972.
Uniform Numbers: 2, 6, 4
Retired from pro hockey: 1977

Simon Wheeldon
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (1988-1989)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 11
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Minor-league games: 219
Minor-league teams: Colorado/Denver (IHL) 1987-1989; Flint (IHL) 1989-90
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on May 29, 1987.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Winnipeg in exchange for Brian McReynolds on July 9, 1990.
Uniform Number: 41
Retired from pro hockey: 2004

NYR TODAY Mon 8/29: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/29
Peter Andersson D (1992-1994) Hal Cooper RW (1944-1945) Doug Sulliman RW (1979-1981)

Peter Andersson
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (1992-1994)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 39
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Minor-league games: 27
Minor-league teams: Binghamton (AHL) 1992-93
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in Round 4 of 1983 NHL Entry Draft (Fifth Rangers pick, No. 73 overall).
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Florida in exchange for 1994 ninth-round draft pick (Vitali Yeremeyev) on March 21, 1994.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 14, 1992 (Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
March 12, 1994 (Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins)
Uniform Number: 5
Retired from pro hockey: 2005

Hal Cooper
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1944-45)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 8
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Claimed by Rangers from Providence (AHL) in Inter-League Draft on May 12, 1944.
Departed
Released following 1945-46 season.
Minor-league games: 87
Minor-league teams: Hershey (AHL) 1944-1946
RANGERS DEBUT
Nov. 1, 1944 (Rangers at Chicago Black Hawks)
Uniform Number: 10
Retired from pro hockey: 1948

Doug Sulliman
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (1979-1981)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 63
Playoff Games with Rangers: 3
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in Round 1 of 1979 NHL Entry Draft (First Rangers pick, No. 13 overall).
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Hartford with Chris Kostopoulos and Gerry McDonald in exchange for Mike Rogers and return of 1982 10th-round draft pick (Simo Saarinen) on Oct. 2, 1981.
Minor-league games: 76
Minor-league teams: New Haven (AHL) 1979-1981
Uniform Number: 9
Retired from NHL: 1990
NOTES
Became first NHL player to score a goal at the Meadowlands when he scored for Rangers in an exhibition game against Philadelphia on Sept. 29, 1981.

Today in NYR History August 29, 1964: 

The Hockey Hall of Fame announces its newest class, including NYR Rangers Alumni Doug Bentley (1953-1954), Albert "Babe" Siebert (1932-1934) and future NYR Broadcaster referee Bill "Big Whistle" Chadwick, the first U.S.-born official to earn induction.

NYR TODAY Sun 8/28: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/28:
Andy Bathgate
August 28, 1932 – February 26, 2016
Right Wing 1952-1964

Full name: Andrew James Bathgate
NYR Uniform Numbers: 10, 16, 14, 9
Retired from NHL: 1971

Seasons with Rangers: 12
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 719
Playoff Games with Rangers: 22






Acquired
Scouted and signed by Rangers as a free agent in 1949.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Toronto with Don McKenney in exchange for Dick Duff, Bob Nevin, Arnie Brown, Bill Collins and Rod Seiling on Feb. 22, 1964.
RANGERS CAPTAIN
1961-62 to Feb. 22, 1964
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 18, 1952 (Rangers at Toronto Maple Leafs)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
Feb. 19, 1964 (Rangers vs. Chicago Black Hawks)
RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Rangers MVP — 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1961-62
Players` Player Award — 1962-63
Boucher Trophy (Most Popular) — 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1961-62
RANGERS RECORDS
Most consecutive games with at least one goal — 10 from Dec. 15, 1962, to Jan. 15, 1963 (11 goals scored during streak)
RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most points — 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63
Most goals — 1956-57, 1958-59, 1960-61, 1961-62
Most assists — 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64
Most playoff points — 1958
Most playoff goals — 1957 (tie), 1958
Most playoff penalty minutes — 1957
RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 183
Minor-league teams: Guelph (OHA) 1949-1952; Vancouver (WHL) 1952-1954
MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Hockey Hall of Fame — Inducted 1978
Hart Trophy — 1958-59
NHL First All-Star Team — 1958-59, 1961-62
NHL Second All-Star Team — 1957-58, 1962-63
NHL All-Star Game — 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964
NHL LEADER
Most points — 1961-62 (tie)
Most assists — 1961-62

BIOGRAPHY
Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate did it all for the Rangers in a remarkable 12-year span that saw him captain the team, win the NHL`s Hart Trophy as league MVP, play in eight NHL All-Star Games and tie for the league scoring lead.

Bathgate joined the Rangers organization as a 17-year-old in 1949, when he began playing for the Guelph Biltmores, the Rangers` junior team in Ontario. Bathgate dominated the OHA over three seasons in Guelph, and by the time he was 20, he got his first call-up to the Blueshirts early in the 1952-53 season.

Bathgate played parts of the 1952-53 and 1953-54 seasons with the Rangers, shuttling between New York and the minors. During those years, Andy`s brother Frank also played in the Rangers farm system and with the parent club.

Bathgate broke away from all other prospects after being loaned to the AHL`s Cleveland Barons for part of the 1953-54 season. He scored 32 points in 36 games at the highest minor-league level — ensuring his permanent spot on the Rangers roster for the 1954-55 season.

He responded with 20 goals in his first full season in the NHL, and over the next decade, he led the Rangers in scoring eight times. His most magical season was 1958-59, when he became the first Rangers player to net 40 goals in one season and earning NHL MVP honors. Three years later, in 1961-62, he tied Bobby Hull for the NHL scoring title, only to lose the Art Ross Trophy because he had fewer goals.


Bathgate helped to change face of goaltending. His shot that hit Plante brought mask into hockey. It was Bathgate, at New York's Madison Square Garden on Nov. 1, 1959, who played an instrumental role in forever changing the face of goaltending, bringing the mask into the game and saving the men in the nets their grim inventory of valley-deep cuts, spools of sutures, and eyes that were blackened, or worse, by shattered cheekbones.

Named team captain in 1961, Bathgate helped the Rangers snap a four-year playoff dought that season. He remained captain right up until he left the Rangers in February 1964 — as the owner of every major team scoring record. Those marks have since been broken, but Bathgate`s legacy lives on as one of the greatest Blueshirts of all time.

Bathgate passed away at the age of 83 on February 26, 2016, in Brampton, Ontario. At the time of his death, he had Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Today in NYR History August 28,  1997: 

Rangers acquire Kevin Stevens from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Luc Robitaille.

Seasons with Rangers: 3 (1997-2000)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 199
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Team Totals: Goals: 40, Assists: 52, Points: 92, PIM: 237, +/-: -24, PPG: 14
Departed
Became an unrestricted free agent following 1999-00 season.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 3, 1997 (Rangers vs. New York Islanders)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
Jan. 22, 2000 (Rangers at St. Louis Blues)

RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Rangers Good Guy Award — 1998-99
NYR Uniform Number: 17
Retired from NHL: 2002

On January 23, 2000 Stevens was arrested along with a prostitute and her pimp at a motel on drug related charges in Collisville, Illinois after a NY Rangers 4-1 Victory over the St. Louis Blues, his final game as a New York Ranger.
After the arrest, Stevens entered the NHL Substance Abuse Program. In May of 2016, Stevens and a co-defendant were charged with conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone.

NYR TODAY Sat 8/27: Rangers Cap, Alumni Birthdays

Rangers Current Salary Cap Situation

With the Rangers signing of Brandon Pirri, the team has about $1.4 million in cap space according to General Fanager and Cap Friendly.
The Rangers now have 24 players on their roster, if Oscar Lindberg is placed on LTIR, and will need to cut down to at least 23 when the season starts. Of the 50 players on their contract list the Rangers now have 48 under contract.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/27: 

Karel Rachunek D (2003-04,2006-07) Doug Robinson LW (9164-1967)
Karel Rachunek August 27, 1979 – September 7, 2011
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (2003-04, 2006-07)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 78
Playoff Games with Rangers: 6
Acquired
Traded to Rangers by Ottawa with Alexandre Giroux in exchange for Greg de Vries on March 9, 2004.
Departed
Signed as UFA with Orli Znojmo of the Czech Extraliga (KHL) on September 6, 2004
RANGERS DEBUT
March 12, 2004 (Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning)
Uniform Number: 23

Rachunek along with another NY Rangers Alumni, Alexander Karpovtsev died on September 7, 2011 in a plane crash, along with his entire Lokomotiv team, just outside Yaroslavl, Russia. The team was on its way to their 2011–2012 season opener with the entire team, coaching staff, and prospects. Lokomotiv officials said "everyone from the main roster was on the plane plus four players from the youth team." The team was traveling to Minsk to play their opening game of the season.

Doug Robinson
Seasons with Rangers: 3 (1964-1967)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 73
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Traded to Rangers by Chicago with Wayne Hillman and John Brenneman in exchange for Camille Henry, Don Johns, Billy Taylor Jr. and Wally Chevrier on Feb. 4, 1965.
Departed
Claimed by Los Angeles in NHL Expansion Draft on June 6, 1967.
RANGERS DEBUT
Feb. 6, 1965 (Rangers at Boston Bruins)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
Oct. 23, 1966 (Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs)
Uniform Number: 5
Retired from pro hockey: 1972

New NYR Profile; Brandon Pirri

NEW YORK – The New York Rangers on Friday announced the signing of free-agent forward Brandon Pirri.

Pirri split his third full NHL season with Anaheim and Florida, collecting 14 goals and15 assists for 29 points with 30 PIM in 61 games set career highs in points, assists and games played. He Earned a career-tying 1-2=3 points on Mar. 24 in his hometown of Toronto for his first points as a Duck. He missed the final five games of the regular season with an upper-body injury was also sidelined for his first 13 games with the Ducks recovering from an ankle sprain.

The forward recorded the game-winning goal Feb. 9 at the Sabres and recorded a goal and an assist Feb. 4 against Detroit. He recorded points in three consecutive games (2-1-3, Jan. 2-5), and scored shootout GDG on Dec. 22 against the Senators. Pirri recorded points in career-high five consecutive games (Dec. 8-17), and had a career-high three point night (1-2-3) Dec. 17 at New Jersey.

Pirri recorded two assists Nov. 21 against the Rangers, and also became first NHL player to record a penalty shot goal and shootout winner in same game Nov. 14 at Tampa Bay. He recorded a power-play goal Nov. 5 at San Jose, and scored first goal of the season Oct. 17 against Dallas, along with recordin two assists Oct. 10 against the Flyers.

The 6'0", 183-pounder recorded 2-5=7 points along with a +5 rating during a career-high five-game scoring streak with the Panthers from Dec. 8-17 capped the streak with his first career three-point game (1-2=3) in a 5-1 win on Dec. 17 @ NJ

Pirri was part of the ECAC All-Rookie Team (2010), and won the John P. Sollenberger Trophy (AHL - Top Scorer) in 2013.

Pirri was traded to Florida by Chicago for Florida's 3rd round choice (later traded to Nashville Nashville selected Justin Kirkland) in 2014 Entry Draft and Florida's 5th round choice in 2016 Entry Draft, March 2, 2014. Panthers Executive Vice President and General Manager Dale Tallon announced on Feb. 29 that the Panthers acquired a 2016 sixth round draft pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Pirri.

Pirri was drafted 59th overall in the second round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by Chicago.

Other Career Notes (Brandon Pirri):

2014-15: 
Completed fifth NHL season, second with Florida...Notched his 21st goal (PPG) March 31 at BOS...Recorded 20th goal of the season March 26 at TOR...Scored shootout game-winner March 21 vs. BOS...Scored goals in four consecutive games (4G) to tie career-high four-game goal streak March 14 - 19...Recorded career-high ten shots Feb. 18 vs. MTL...Recorded 12th goal of the season Mar. 3 vs. TOR...Recorded his first career multi-goal game (2-0—2) and nine shots Feb. 28 vs. BUF...Notched a four-game point streak (4-1—5) Jan. 31-Feb. 5...Recorded a career-high four game goal 
streak (4G) Jan. 31-Feb. 5 ...Scored a goal Jan. 19 vs. VAN...Returned after missing ten games with injury (mild concussion) Nov. 25 vs. MIN...Owned a 
three-game goal scoring streak (3-0-3) Oct. 21-30...Recorded his third consecutive goal of the season Oct. 30 vs. ARI... Recorded a goal Oct. 25 at ARI...
Scored his first goal of the season and registered six shots Oct. 21 at COL...Recorded three shots in his season debut Oct. 18 at WSH.

2013-14:
 Completed fourth NHL season, first with Florida...Recorded two points (1-1-2) Apr. 6 vs DAL...Had a four-game point streak (3-2-5: Mar. 
31-Apr. 6)...Recorded two point game (1-1-2) Mar. 18 at SJS...Picked up two assists Mar. 16 vs VAN...Recorded goal and assist Mar. 13 at TBL...Picked 
up first goal as a Panther Mar. 11 vs PHX...Made his Florida debut Mar. 4 at BOS...Played in 26 games with Rockford recording 26 points (11-15-26)...
Recalled from Rockford (AHL) on Jan. 27...Set a career high with two assists on Oct. 28 at MIN...Set a career high with two points (1- 1-2) on Oct. 19 vs. 
TOR...Scored his first career goal on Oct. 17 vs. STL...Made his season debut on Oct. 12 vs. BUF.

2012-13: 
Completed third NHL season, third with Chicago...Recorded two shots on Apr. 27 at STL.

2011-12: 
Completed second NHL season, second with Chicago...Split the season between Chicago and Rockford ... Tallied two assists, including his first career NHL point on Oct. 7 at DAL, in five regular-season games with the Blackhawks ... Paced the IceHogs with 33 assists and 56 points in 66 regular-season games ... Shared the team lead 
with a +9 rating ... Notched 16 multi-point games ... Shared second on the club with seven power-play goals ... Netted his first professional hat trick on Nov. 23 vs. San Antonio.

2010-11:
Completed his first NHL season, first with Chicago...Made his professional and NHL debut with Chicago on Oct. 9 vs. DET ... Made his AHL debut on Oct. 10 vs. Grand Rapids ... Ranked fourth on Rockford with 43 points (12G, 31A) in 70 regular-season games in his AHL debut ... Tallied his first professional point with an assist in his AHL debut ... Netted first career professional goal on Oct. 15 at Abbotsford. 

2009-10:
Tallied 43 points (11G, 32A) in 39 games with ECAC’s Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

International:
Won a bronze medal with Canada East at the 2008 World Junior A Challenge, sharing fifth in the tournament with seven points (4G, 3A) 
in four games.

ETC: 
2012-13 Earned John B. Sollenberger Trophy for AHL leading scorer...Lived with teammate Dave Bolland as a rookie with CHI...
Played with Florida teammates Dave Bolland (2010-13), Brian Campbell (2010-11), Dylan Olsen (2011-12) for CHI...Attended RPI...Played with teammate Reilly Smith in the GTHL for the Toronto Young Nationals.

NYR TODAY Fri 8/26: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/26: 

Anthony Duclair LW (2014-2015)
Regular Season Games with Rangers: 18 Acquired: Drafted by Rangers 2013 NHL Entry Draft Round 3rd (80th overall) Departed: Traded to the Arizona Coyotes along with John Moore and two draft picks, in exchange for Keith Yandle and Chris Summers.
Nickname: Duke
Uniform Number: 63
















Today in NYR History August 26, 2004: 

















Rangers sign free agent goaltender Kevin Weekes.
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (2005-2007)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 46
Playoff Games with Rangers: 1
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 26, 2004.
Departed
Signed with New Jersey as an unrestricted free agent on July 5, 2007.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 5, 2005 (Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers)
RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Players` Player Award — 2005-06 (co-winner with Jed Ortmeyer)
Uniform Number: 80

Weekes signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent prior to the 2004–05 NHL lock-out, winning his first start with the Rangers on October 5, 2005, in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers. His time with the Rangers looked to be promising until an injury kept him out and he lost his number one spot to Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist came in to play in place of Weekes and played exceptionally well. Weekes remained in good spirits upon his healthy return to the team even though he had been bumped to the number two spot and back up to the rookie (Lundqvist). He became an unrestricted free agent following a less than stellar 2006–07 season.

Weekes announced his retirement from playing on September 27, 2009.

Weekes made history in 2009, when he became the first black analyst in hockey. Weekes provides colour commentary for NHL games on the NHL Network and Hockey Night in Canada. In The Hockey News 2011 edition of the 100 Most Powerful people in ice hockey, Weekes was considered one of the Top 40 under the age of 40

Jimmy Vesey will wear #26 for the Rangers

Jimmy Vesey announced that he will wear #26 for the Rangers this season.

He said that he picked #26 because he was born on May 26th and the last time he wore #26 was in the World Juniors when he was playing with JT Miller.
Vesey added, "hopefully we can continue to win hockey games with me at #26 and him at #10."

Vesey will be the 25th New York Ranger to wear #26 in the team's history.
The previous players to wear the number are:
Sheldon Kannegiesser 1973-1974
Dave Maloney 1975-1985
Randy Heath 1985
Brian MacLellan 1986
Kjell Samuelsson 1987
Brad Maxwell 1987
Jay Caufield 1987
Ron Talakoski 1988
Kevin Miller 1989-1991
Igor Liba 1989
Troy Mallette 1990
Joe Kocur 1991-1996
David Oliver 1997
Jeff Finley 1998-1999
Mike Maneluk 1999
Tim Taylor 2000-2001
Andreas Johansson 2002
Jamie Lundmark 2003
Martin Rucinsky 2004-2006
Bryce Lampman 2007
Erik Christensen 2010-2011
Ruslan Fedotenko 2012
Martin St. Louis 2014-2015
Jarret Stoll 2016

NEW YORK RANGERS SIGN BRANDON PIRRI

The New York Rangers have signed UFA Center Brandon Pirri to a one year deal worth $1.1M per.

Pirri, a 25 year old 6'0", 185lb Left Handed Shooting Center, had 14 goals and 15 assists in 61 games last season for Florida and Anaheim. 2 seasons ago he scored 22 goals for Florida in 49 games.

Another good move by GM Jeff Gorton adding more depth to the team 

NYR TODAY Thurs 8/25: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/25: 
Jerry Holland LW (1974-1976) Pete Stemkowski C (1970-1977) Dean Talafous RW (1978-1981)

Jerry Holland
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (1974-1976)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 37
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in Round 3 of 1974 NHL Amateur Draft (Third Rangers pick, No. 50 overall).
Departed
Left Rangers organization to enter WHA in 1977.
Uniform Number: 22
Retired from pro hockey: 1979

Pete Stemkowski
Seasons with Rangers: 7 (1970-1977)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 496
Playoff Games with Rangers: 55
Acquired
Traded to Rangers by Detroit in exchange for Larry Brown on Oct. 31, 1970.
Departed
Signed with Los Angeles as a free agnet on Aug. 31, 1977.
Uniform Number: 21
Retired from pro hockey: 1979

Dean Talafous
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (1978-1981)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 202
Playoff Games with Rangers: 19
Acquired
Signed by Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on July 17, 1978.
Departed
Retired from NHL on Dec. 30, 1981.
Uniform Number: 19
Retired from NHL: Dec. 30, 1981

Today in NYR History August 25, 1943: 

NYR Legend Pete Stemkowski is born in Winnipeg.
On April 29, 1971, Rangers center Pete Stemkowski scored one of the biggest goals in New York Rangers history.

Stemkowski`s tally in triple overtime of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup playoff semifinals at Madison Square Garden, forced a seventh game between the Rangers and Black Hawks — keeping the Blueshirts` hopes of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance alive.

Although the Rangers went on to lose Game 7, a then 27-year-old Stemkowski had forever ensured a special relationship with the New York fans, who would talk about his dramatic goal for many years to come. Neither Stemmer, as he was fondly called, or the Garden Faithful had to wait much longer for that trip to the Finals, since Stemkowski was again part of the team that went all the way to a showdown with Boston one year later in 1972.

Also known as "The Polish Prince," Stemkowski`s success in his first year as a Ranger set the tone for a fine seven-season run that included three straight 20-goal seasons from 1972-73 to 1974-75. He was particularly impressive in 1973-74, when he tied his career-high of 25 goals and also notched a career-high 70 points.

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Stemkowski began his NHL career in the Toronto Maple Leafs system and played his first game with the Leafs as a 20-year-old in 1963-64. He went on to spent another four years with the Leafs, shuttling up and down between Toronto and Rochester of the American Hockey League until he caught on as an NHL regular in 1966.

Traded to Detroit late in the 1967-68 season, Stemkowski had his first two 20-goal seasons with the Red Wings and was eventually dealt to the Rangers for defenseman Larry Brown. It would prove to be a great trade for the Rangers, because Stemkowski went on to play 551 regular-season and playoff games for the Blueshirts before leaving the team in 1977.

Following his playing career, Stemkowski worked for several seasons as the San Jose Sharks` TV color commentator. He is also a member of the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in Hamtramck, Mich., which welcomed him as an inductee in 2002.

NYR TODAY Tues 8/23: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/23: 

Ray Ferraro C (1995-1996) Mike Green C (2003-2004) Carl Hagelin LW (2011-2015) Glenn Healy G (1993-1997) Randy Moller D (1989-1992)

Ray Ferraro
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1995-96)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 65
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 9, 1995.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Los Angeles with Ian Laperriere, Mattias Norstrom, Nathan Lafayette and 1997 fourth-round draft pick (Sean Blanchard) for Marty McSorley, Jari Kurri and Shane Churla on March 14, 1996.

Mike Green
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (2003-04)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 13
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Claimed by Rangers off waivers from Florida on March 9, 2004.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Dallas in exchange for a conditional 2008 draft pick on June 14, 2006.

Carl Hagelin
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 266
Playoff Games with Rangers: 73
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in sixth round, No. 168 overall, of 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
Departed
Traded along with two draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Emerson Etem and a second-round selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, June 27, 2015.

Glenn Healy
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (1993-1997)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 113
Playoff Games with Rangers: 7
Acquired
Traded to Rangers by Tampa Bay in exchange for return of Tampa Bay`s 1993 third-round draft pick (Allan Egeland) on June 25, 1993.
Departed
Became an unrestricted free agent following 1996-97 season.

Randy Moller
Seasons with Rangers: 3 (1989-1992)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 164
Playoff Games with Rangers: 16
Acquired
Traded to Rangers by Quebec in exchange for Michel Petit on Oct. 5, 1989.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Buffalo in exchange for Jay Wells on March 9, 1992.

Today in NYR History August 23, 2005: 

Rangers acquire Steve Rucchin from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Trevor Gillies and a fourth round pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

NYR TODAY Mon 8/22: Alumni Birthday, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/22: 

Ken Hammond D (1988-1989)
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1988-89)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 3

Today in NYR History August 22, 1977: 

Jean-Guy Talbot becomes the 16th head coach in Rangers history.
Talbot  taking over from John Ferguson, with whom he had played during his tenure with the Canadiens. As coach of the Rangers, Talbot was known for wearing a warmup suit behind the bench during games, rather than the normal business suit worn by most coaches. Talbot, a target of fans ire only lasted 1 season as coach of the Rangers in 1977-78 and was replaced after the club posted a disappointing 30-37-13 record.

NYR TODAY SAT 8/21: Notes, Alumni Birthdays

Rangers Team Notes: Week Ending 8/20
Rangers signed UFA Providence College defenseman John Gilmour,  a 7th round pick of the Flames in 2013.

Rangers hired Eric Raymond as their goaltending development coach.
Raymond has spent the past few seasons as the goalie coach for the Halifax Mooseheads in the QMJHL. Raymond has served as an instructor for Hockey Canada in the past.
His hiring seems like a move to give Benoit Allaire some help and also to give the Rangers young goalies someone to work with more regularly while Allaire is working with Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta.


The Rangers announced that they officially signed UFA Prospect Jimmy Vesey, beating out 6 other teams that were in involved in negotiations with Vesey and his agents.
 Vesey, 23, skated in 33 games with Harvard University this past season, registering 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points, along with a plus-11 rating and was a Hobey Baker Award Winner as the top player in collegiate hockey in 2015-16. In 128 career collegiate games over four seasons at Harvard (2012-13 - 2015-16), registering 80 goals and 64 assists for 144 points, along with a plus-17 rating and 66 penalty minutes.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/21: 
Jean Paul Lamarnde D (1946-48,1949-50) Steve McKenna LW (2001-2002)

Jean Paul Lamarnde
Seasons with Rangers: 3 (1946-1948; 1949-50)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 48
Playoff Games with Rangers: 8

Acquired
Scouted and signed by Rangers as a free agent in 1946.

Departed
Pro hockey rights sold to St. Louis (AHL) on Sept. 19, 1950.

RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 17, 1946 (Rangers at Montreal Canadiens)

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 158
Minor-league teams: St. Paul (USHL) 1946-47; New Haven (AHL) 1946-1950

MISCELLANEOUS
Uniform Numbers: 3, 16, 21, 22
Retired from pro hockey: 1961

NOTES
Missed three seasons from 1942 to 1945 while serving in Canadian Army during World War II. ... Also starred in baseball while growing up in Canada.

Steve McKenna
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (2001-02)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 54
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0

Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 28, 2001.

Departed
Became an unrestricted free agent following the 2001-02 season

ACTIVE PRO PLAYER
Under contract to Chuncheon Kangwon Land (South Korea) in 2006-07

RANGERS DEBUT
Nov. 6, 2001 (Rangers vs. Minnesota North Stars)

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 3
Minor-league teams: Hartford (AHL) 2001-02

MISCELLANEOUS
Uniform Numbers: 21

Today in NYR History August 21, 1969:

The Hockey Hall of Fame announces its newest members. included is NY Rangers Alumni Bryan Hextal Sr.
 From the moment he joined the Rangers organization in 1936, Bryan Hextall began to set himself apart as a special star. In his first 18 minor-league games, he led the American Hockey League with 29 goals, prompting a call-up to the Rangers on a full-time basis in 1937.

He would never play in the minor leagues again and would not miss another NHL game for seven straight years until his career was interrupted by his service to the Canadian military during the 1944-45 season. His absence from hockey was then extended by a stomach disorder and liver condition that caused him to miss all but three games of the 1945-46 season.

Hextall was the last Rangers player to lead the NHL in scoring, a feat he accomplished with 56 points in 1941-42. He is also the last Rangers player to have led the league in goals in back-to-back seasons, as he scored a total of 50 in 96 games between 1940 and 1942.

The top scorer for the regular season during the Rangers` 1940 Stanley Cup championship year, Hextall also led the team with four goals during the playoffs. Between 1938-39 and 1943-44, Hextall recorded six straight 20-goal seasons, breaking Bill Cook`s former team record of four straight. he was also named to the NHL First All-Star team three times during that span.

RANGERS DEBUT
Feb. 23, 1937 (Rangers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs)

FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
April 4, 1948 (Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings) (playoffs)

MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Hockey Hall of Fame — Inducted 1969
NHL Scoring Leader — 1941-42
NHL First All-Star Team — 1939-40, 1940-41, 1941-42
NHL Second All-Star Team — 1942-43

RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Rangers MVP — 1943-44 (co-winner with Ott Heller)

NHL LEADER
Most points — 1941-42
Most goals — 1939-40, 1940-41

RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most points — 1939-40, 1940-41 (tie), 1941-42, 1943-44
Most goals — 1939-40, 1940-41, 1942-43, 1943-44
Most assists — 1943-44
Most playoff points — 1938 (tie), 1948 (tie)
Most playoff goals — 1938 (tie), 1940, 1948 (tie)

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 18
Minor-league teams: Philadelphia (AHL) 1936-37

MISCELLANEOUS
Nickname: Hex
Full name: Bryan Aldwyn Hextall
Uniform Numbers: 15, 12, 19
Stanley Cup Champion: 1940
Retired from pro hockey: 1949

NYR TODAY Sat 8/20: Gorton/Vesey Conference Call, Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

Rangers GM Jeff Gorton and newly acquired forward Jimmy Vesey spoke to the media on a conference call Friday night following the announcement of Vesey's signing. 

     Vesey said his list included eight teams, and while the decision was tough, he felt comfortable with the Rangers' pitch. "It was definitely a tough decision, but myself, my agent and my family were very impressed with the Rangers in our meeting."
    Vesey added he was impressed with Gorton, coach Alain Vigneault and particularly Chris Drury, who was added last year as director of player development. "Chris Drury was the one I was really impressed with during the meeting with the Rangers."
    Vesey said he tries to play a mix between a power and skilled forward.
    Although he tried to stay off social media all week, Vesey said he got texts from friends and family about the celebrity pitches on Twitter.
    Gorton said the Rangers had a lot to sell to Vesey, including being an Original Six franchise in a city like New York.
    Gorton said he did not want to commit Vesey to a particular line or spot just yet.
    Gorton added that he likes the way Vesey can score consistently: "I think that he's got ability to score. ... He can come in and play."


NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/20: 
Chris Drury C (2007-2011) Al Hamilton D (1965-66,1967-70) Ernest Kenny D (1930-1931) Steve Valiquette G (2003-04,2006-07)

Chris Drury
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 264
Playoff Games with Rangers: 21
Acquired: Signed with the Rangers as a free agent on July 1, 2007.
Named the 25th Captain in team history on October 3. 2007.
Uniform Number: 23
Retired from NHL: 2011
Current Position: NY Rangers director of player development.

Al Hamilton
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (1965-66; 1967-1970)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 81
Playoff Games with Rangers: 6
Acquired: Scouted and signed by Rangers organization as a free agent in 1965.
Departed: Claimed by Buffalo in NHL Expansion Draft on June 10, 1970.
Uniform Numbers: 25, 6
Retired from NHL: 1980

Ernest Kenny
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1930-31)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 6
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired: Pro hockey rights sold to Rangers by Tacoma (PCHL) on Jan. 3, 1931.
Departed: Released following 1930-31 season.
Uniform Number: 16
Retired from pro hockey: 1940

Steve Valiquette
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (2003-04, 2006-07)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 39
Playoff Games with Rangers: 2
Acquired: Signed as a free agent on July 1, 2006.
Uniform Numbers: 45, 40
Current Position: Studio analyst for MSG Network covering the Rangers.

Today in NYR History August 20, 2001: 

Rangers acquire Eric Lindros and with conditional first-round draft pick (conditions not met) from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Jan Hlavac, Pavel Brendl, Kim Johnsson, and a third round pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft (Stefan Ruzicka).
Seasons with Rangers: 3 (2001-2004)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 192
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 5, 2001 (Rangers at Carolina Hurricanes)
MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
NHL All-Star Game — 2002 (injured, did not play)
RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Boucher Trophy (Most Popular) — 2003-04
Rangers Good Guy Award — 2003-04

RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most points — 2001-02
Most goals — 2001-02

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS WHILE IN RANGERS ORGANIZATION
2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah

Lindros had seasons of 73, 53 and 39 points during his stint with the Rangers, and left the team as an unrestricted free agent following the 2003-04 season.

Lindros would announce his official retirement from the game in November of 2007. Lindros finished his career with 372 goals and 493 assists for 865 points, in 760 NHL games.

OFFICIAL: New York Rangers have agreed to terms with free agent forward Jimmy Vesey.

The Rangers have announced that they have officially signed Jimmy Vesey.
From the Rangers release:

• Vesey, 23, skated in 33 games with Harvard University this past season, registering 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points, along with a plus-11 rating and six penalty minutes.
• He won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in collegiate hockey in 2015-16, becoming the fourth player in Harvard's history to win the award.
• Vesey skated in 128 career collegiate games over four seasons at Harvard (2012-13 - 2015-16), registering 80 goals and 64 assists for 144 points, along with a plus-17 rating and 66 penalty minutes.
• Over his last two seasons at Harvard, Vesey recorded 104 points (56 goals, 48 assists) in 70 games, averaging 0.80 goals per game and 1.49 points per game over the span. V
• esey's 56 goals in 2014-15 and 2015-16 led all collegiate players over the two seasons.
• In addition, he tallied a point in 58 of 70 games over his final two seasons of collegiate hockey, including a goal in 44 of those 70 contests.
• Vesey ranks fifth on Harvard's all-time goals list and is tied for 12th on Harvard's all-time points list.

NYR TODAY FRI 8/19: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/19: 
Taylor Pyatt LW (2012-2014)

Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on July 3, 2012. Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 70, 6 goals, 6 assists, 16 PIM. Playoff Games with Rangers: 12, 2 goals, 2 assists 12 PIM.
In the final year of his contract with the Rangers on January 2, 2014, Pyatt was claimed off of waivers by the Pittsburgh Penguins. On July 24, 2014, with indication of little NHL interest, Pyatt agreed to a one-year free agent contract with Swiss team Genève-Servette HC of the National League A. For the first time in his career, Pyatt played alongside brother Tom with GSHC. After one season in Switzerland, and completing his 15th professional season, Pyatt opted to end his playing career.










Today in NYR History August 19, 1947: 
Rangers acquire Buddy O’Connor and Frank Eddolls from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Hal Laycoe, Joe Bell, and George Robertson.

Buddy O’Connor
Seasons with Rangers: 4 (1947-1951)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 238
Playoff Games with Rangers: 18
RANGERS CAPTAIN
1949-50

MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Hockey Hall of Fame — Inducted 1988
Hart Trophy — 1947-48
Lady Byng Trophy — 1947-48
NHL Second All-Star Team — 1947-48
NHL All-Star Game — 1949





RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Rangers MVP — 1947-48

RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most points — 1947-48, 1948-49
Most goals — 1947-48 (tie)
Most assists — 1947-48, 1948-49
Most playoff points — 1948 (tie)
Most playoff assists — 1948 (tie)

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 65
Minor-league teams: Cincinnati (AHL) 1951-52

MISCELLANEOUS
Nickname: Buddy
Full name: Herbert William O`Connor
Uniform Numbers: 5
Retired from pro hockey: 1952

Frank Eddolls
Seasons with Rangers: 5 (1947-1952)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 260
Playoff Games with Rangers: 13
Departed the Rangers: NHL rights sold to Montreal in October 1952.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 16, 1947 (Rangers at Montreal Canadiens)

FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
March 23, 1952 (Rangers vs. Chicago Black Hawks)

RANGERS CAPTAIN
1950-51 to Dec. 6, 1951





MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
NHL All-Star Game — 1951

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 24
Minor-league teams: Cincinnati (AHL) 1951-52; Saskatoon (PCHL) 1951-52

MISCELLANEOUS
Nickname: Frankie
Full name: Frank Herbert Eddolls
Uniform Numbers: 2
Retired from pro hockey: 1954

NYR TODAY THURS 8/18: Vesey Update, TDINYRH

VESEY SWEEPSTAKES UPDATE

Free agent forward Jimmy Vesey met with seven NHL teams the past two days and will begin weighing his options Thursday, ESPN.com reported.

Vesey met with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs, the report said, and the Buffalo Sabres remain a possibility.

It is expected that earliest he will sign may be Friday or Saturday, early next week at the latest.

Today in NYR History August 18, 1986: 

The Rangers acquire Walt Poddubny from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for Mike Allison.
Of all the players who have spent only one or two years with the Rangers, perhaps none had as big an impact as Walt Poddubny, who joins Wayne Gretzky and Jaromir Jagr as the only players to lead the team in both goals and points in each of his seasons in New York (Most points — 1986-87, 1987-88, Most goals — 1986-87 (tie), 1987-88,  Most assists — 1986-87). During his 2 seasons in New York Puddubny tallied 78 goals and 97 assists for 175 points in 152 Regular Season Games giving him one of the highest point-per-game averages of any player in franchise history. He was the recipient of the New York Rangers Fan Club's Frank Boucher Trophy for the most popular player on and off the ice in both years and the team's Most Valuable Player Award from the Professional Hockey Writers Association in 1987.

On March 21, 2009 Walt passed away at the age of 49, after collapsing at his sister's house in Thunder Bay. The cause of death was heart attack.

RANGERS SIGN NCAA UFA D-MAN JOHN GILMOUR

Rangers signed NCAA UFA Defenseman John Gilmour to a 2 year deal adding another high-end prospects to the system.

Gilmour originally drafted by Calgary Flames, round 7 #198 overall 2013 NHL Entry Draft is a left handed D-Man, 23 years old, 5'11", 180lb and is coming off a 9 goal, 24 point performance in 34 games this year with Providence College.

Gilmour has been a key member of the Friars' defense corps and long-term he projects as a competent lower pairing defender capable of playing in all roles. He will likely spend time in the AHL honing his game before reaching the NHL. 

NYR TODAY WED 9/17: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/17: 

Jim Dorey D (1971-1972) Mike LaBadie RW (1952-1953)

Jim Dorey Acquired: Traded to Rangers by Toronto in exchange for Pierre Jarry on Feb. 20,1972. Departed:  Left NHL following 1971-72 season to enter WHA. Nickname: Flipper, Uniform Numbers: 8, Retired from pro hockey: 1979
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1971-72)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 1
Playoff Games with Rangers: 1
RANGERS DEBUT: Feb. 22, 1972 (Rangers at Montreal Canadiens) FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS: May 7, 1972 (Rangers vs. Boston Bruins) (Stanley Cup Finals)

Mike LaBadie Acquired:  Scouted and signed by Rangers organization as a free agent in 1950. Departed:  Released following 1952-53 season. Retired from pro hockey: 1968
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1952-53)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 3
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS: Minor-league games: 99 Quebec (QJHL) 1950-1953
RANGERS DEBUT: Jan. 25, 1953 (Rangers at Boston Bruins) FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS: Jan. 29, 1953 (Rangers at Montreal Canadiens)

Today in NYR History August 17, 2009: 

Rangers sign free agent forward Vinny Prospal. Prospal went on to play 2 seasons in New York putting up 29 goals and 52 assists in 104 games during the 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 campaigns. In 2009-2010 Prospal established a career-high in average icetime (20:06), Ranked second on the team in assists, points, power play assists (13), even strength goals (13) and home goals (13), tied for second in goals, third in power play goals, and ranked fourth in power play points (19) and was named Alternate Captain on November 3, 2009. In 2011 he departed the Rangers as an Unrestricted Free Agent and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets, playing 2 more seasons before retiring at the end of the 2012-2013 season.

NYR TODAY TUES 8/16: Alumni Birthday, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthday 8/16: 
Eddie Olczyk LW (1992-1995)

Today in NYR History August 16, 1993: 

Rangers sign free agent forward Darren Langdon. Langdon not know as a "goal scorer" but rather as an "enforcer" went on to play 6 season with the orginazation splitting his time between AHL affiliate Binghamton from 1993-1996 playing 110 games and the Rangers playing in 277 regular season games posting 735 penalty minutes along with 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 total points. Langdon was the Rangers penalty minute leader during both the 1996-97 and 1997-98 Seasons. In 1996-1997 & 1997-1998 he was voted by his teammates as the "Players' Player" Award winner. Wearing numbers 15 and 19 during his tenure he would depart the team on Aug. 4, 2000 in a trade to Carolina along with Rob DiMaio in exchange for Sandy McCarthy and a conditional 2001 draft choice (Bryce Lampman).

NYR TODAY MON 8/15: Vesey, Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

Jimmy Vesey Hits Free Agent Market Today

According to the New York Post, Vesey's agent says that there are a couple of holes in the Rangers lineup that his client could fit in and "I couldn't envision a scenario where the Rangers wouldn't want to make a pitch, and they would definitely be a possibility." He added that the Rangers are an interesting option for any free agent.
Vesey is having last minute talks with the Sabres thought it's still likely he becomes a UFA.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/15: 
Stephane Brochu D (1988-1989) Sheldon Kannegiesser D (1972-1974) Craig MacTavish C (1993-1994, Asst Coach 1997-1999)

Today in NYR History August 15, 1989: 

Roger Neilson becomes the 25th head coach in Rangers history.
Neilson coached the New York Rangers from 1989 to 1993, posting a record of 141-104-35 in 280 games coached and finished in first place of the Patrick Divison twice. His tenure with the New York Rangers was successful; the highlight was coaching the team to the Presidents' Trophy as the first place team in the league in 1992. However, the Rangers can't get past the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in either season, and when they're 19-17-4 at the halfway point of the 1992-93 season, Neilson is replaced by Ron Smith.

In 1999, Neilson was diagnosed with bone cancer, which spread to become skin cancer in 2001. He died on June 21, 2003, only five days after his 69th birthday.

NYR TODAY SUN 8/14: Alumni Birthdays, TDINYRH

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/14: 
Adam Hall RW (2006-2007) Miloslav Horava D (1989-1991)

Today in NYR History August 14, 1926: 
The Rangers sign defenseman Clarence “Taffy” Abel. Abel becomes the first player to join the Rangers.
Taffy Abel was the first U.S.' born player to earn a regular spot in the National Hockey League. He was one of his era's biggest skaters, standing 6 feet 1 inch and weighing over 225 pounds. At a time when forward passing was not allowed in the offensive zone, he was a bruising defensive force to be reckoned with.

Abel was born in 1900 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, but incredibly he did not play his first organized hockey game until he was 18 years old. He spent four seasons learning the game with the Michigan Soo Nationals of the state senior league, and in 1922 he joined the St. Paul Athletic Club, a Minnesota team that played in the United States Amateur Hockey Association. His solid play and size earned him a berth on the U.S. Olympic team that traveled to the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix, France.

Though he was far from an offensive standout over his long career, he scored only 18 goals in 333 NHL games ' Abel counted 15 goals in 5 games at Chamonix. In the final game against Canada ' the eventual champions ' he was held scoreless, though he did lead the way in penalties. He was involved in three altercations in a match very much lacking in Olympic spirit and gentlemanly conduct.

His reputation buoyed by his silver-medal performance, Abel joined the Minneapolis Millers of the competitive Central Hockey League for the 1925'26 season. When the New York Rangers were formed in 1926, Abel was signed to strengthen the nascent club's blue line. He played that role for only three seasons in the Big Apple, often teaming with another hockey giant, Ivan (Ching) Johnson, to make for a formidable combination. Together the defensive partners weighed in at over 428 pounds.

In the 1928 Stanley Cup playoffs defense became especially important to the Rangers when their goalie, Lorne Chabot, was injured in the second game of the finals against the Montreal Maroons. New York's 45-year-old manager and coach, Lester Patrick, put on the pads and filled in for Chabot ' despite never having played goal in the NHL before. With Abel and Johnson clearing the zone and protecting their inexperienced netminder, the Rangers won the game and eventually the Stanley Cup.

On April 15, 1929, Abel was sold to the Chicago Black Hawks for $15,000. He became a fan favorite in Chicago and was a defensive stalwart for the Hawks for five seasons. In 1934 Abel helped the Hawks win their first Stanley Cup. His big body bruised and his legs sore from years of abuse, Abel decided to hang up his skates on a high note and he retired following the Cup victory.

When the United States Hockey Hall of Fame opened in 1973, Taffy Abel was one of its charter members.