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.