NYR TODAY Thursday 8/31: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays August 31: 

Fern Gauthier RW (1943-1944) Bryce Lampman D (2003-2007)

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.

RNYRF Remembers Carol Vadnais

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.

Rangers Announce 2017 Traverse City Roster

Annual prospect tournament begins September 8
by New York Rangers @NYRangers / NYRangers.com

The New York Rangers have announced their roster for the 2017 Traverse City Tournament in Traverse City, Michigan. The Blueshirts are making their 11th consecutive appearance in the eight-team tournament, which is set to begin on Friday, September 8.

New York's roster features 23 prospects (14 forwards, seven defensemen, and two goaltenders), including both of the Rangers' first round selections in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil. In addition to Andersson and Chytil, the Rangers' fourth round selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Brandon Crawley, will participate in the tournament. Ten of the 23 prospects on the Rangers' roster for the tournament were selected by the team in the NHL Entry Draft. In addition, eight of the players on the Blueshirts' roster for the tournament signed with the Rangers as free agents, including defensemen Alexei Bereglazov, Vince Pedrie, and Neal Pionk. Several of the prospects on this year's roster also represented the Rangers at the 2016 Traverse City Tournament, including 2016 draft picks Sean Day, Tim Gettinger, and Ty Ronning.

The Rangers are one of four teams that comprise the Gordie Howe Division, along with the Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, and Detroit Red Wings. The Blueshirts begin the tournament with a contest against Chicago on Friday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. New York will face Carolina on Saturday, September 9 at 3:30 p.m. and Detroit on Monday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m. Following their three round-robin games, the Rangers will have a placement game against a team from the Ted Lindsay Division on Tuesday, September 12.

Over the 10 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, Kevin Hayes, J.T. Miller, Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey, Pavel Buchnevich, Jesper Fast, and Marc Staal all represented the team at the tournament in recent years.

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

2017 Traverse City Tournament Roster
Player    Jersey No.    Position    Height    Weight    Shoots/Catches    DOB    2016-17 Team    Birthplace    How Acquired
Andersson, Lias    50    Center    6-0    200    Left    10/13/98    HV71 (SHL)    Smogen, Sweden    Drafted (1st Round/7th overall in 2017)
Bereglazov, Alexei    41    Defenseman    6-4    205    Left    4/20/94    Metallurg Magnitogorsk (KHL)    Magnitogorsk, Russia    Signed as a free agent on April 21, 2017
Carbonara, Adrian    65    Right Wing    6-2    204    Right    3/12/97    London Knights (OHL)    Mississauga, Ontario    Amateur Tryout (ATO)
Chytil, Filip    72    Center    6-2    192    Left    9/5/99    PSG Zlin (Czech)    Kromeriz, Czech Republic    Drafted (1st Round/21st overall in 2017)
Crawley, Brandon    73    Defenseman    6-1    205    Left    2/2/97    London Knights (OHL)    Glen Rock, New Jersey    Drafted (4th Round/123rd overall in 2017)
Day, Sean    85    Defenseman    6-2    231    Left    1/9/98    Windsor Spitfires (OHL)    Leuven, Belgium    Drafted (3rd Round/81st overall in 2016)
Fontaine, Gabriel    54    Center    6-1    191    Left    4/30/97    Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)    Sherbrooke, Quebec    Drafted (6th Round/171st overall in 2016)
Gettinger, Tim    97    Left Wing    6-6    217    Left    4/14/98    Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)    Cleveland, Ohio    Drafted (5th Round/141st overall in 2016)
Georgiev, Alexandar    90    Goaltender    6-1    180    Left    2/10/96    TPS Turku (Liiga)    Moscow, Russia    Signed as a free agent on July 19, 2017
Gropp, Ryan    78    Left Wing    6-2    190    Left    9/16/96    Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)    Kamloops, British Columbia    Drafted (2nd Round/41st overall in 2015)
Kotyk, Brenden    87    Defenseman    6-6    240    Right    8/27/91    University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)    Regina, Saskatchewan    Signed to AHL contract with Hartford
Kovacs, Robin    96    Left Wing    6-0    186    Left    11/16/96    Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)    Stockholm, Sweden    Drafted (3rd Round/62nd overall in 2015)
Leedahl, Dawson    92    Left Wing    6-1    195    Left    3/16/96    Regina Pats (WHL)    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan    Signed as a free agent on May 8, 2017
Lettieri, Vinni    95    Center    5-11    195    Right    2/6/95    University of Minnesota (NCAA)    Excelsior, Minnesota    Signed as a free agent on March 27, 2017
Moore, Ryan    79    Right Wing    5-7    168    Left    4/9/97    Flint Firebirds (OHL)    Troy, Michigan    Professional Tryout (PTO)
Nell, Chris    80    Goaltender    6-1    190    Left    9/2/94    Bowling Green State University (NCAA)    Green Bay, Wisconsin    Signed as a free agent on March 23, 2017
Pedrie, Vince    74    Defenseman    6-0    195    Left    1/17/94    Penn State University (NCAA)    Rochester, Minnesota    Signed as a free agent on March 28, 2017
Pettit, Kyle    46    Center    6-4    200    Left    1/19/96    Erie Otters (OHL)    Komoka, Ontario    Amateur Tryout (ATO)
Pionk, Neal    44    Defenseman    6-0    190    Right    7/29/95    University of Minnesota Duluth (NCAA)    Hermantown, Minnesota    Signed as a free agent on May 1, 2017
Ronning, Ty    59    Right Wing    5-9    167    Right    10/20/97    Vancouver Giants (WHL)    Burnaby, British Columbia    Drafted (7th Round/201st overall in 2016)
Smith, Luc    57    Left Wing    6-5    205    Right    1/20/98    Kamloops Blazers (WHL)    Stony Plain, Alberta    Amateur Tryout (ATO)
Stromwall, Malte    84    Right Wing    6-0    191    Right    8/24/94    Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL)    Lulea, Sweden    Signed as a free agent on April 17, 2016
Zborovskiy, Sergey    64    Defenseman    6-4    200    Right    2/21/97    Regina Pats (WHL)

NYR TODAY Wednesday 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)

NYR TODAY Tuesday 8/29: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 8/29

Peter Andersson D (1992-1994) Hal Cooper RW (1944-1945) Doug Sulliman RW (1979-1981)

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.

OFFICIAL: On February 25th, Legendary Blueshirt Jean Ratelle will be honored as his #19 will be raised to the rafters

Jean Ratelle's Number 19 to Be Retired on February 25, 2018
Becomes ninth Ranger to have his number retired by the organization
by New York Rangers @NYRangers / NYRangers.com

New York Rangers President Glen Sather announced today that the organization will retire jersey No. 19 in honor of Rangers great Jean Ratelle in an on-ice ceremony prior to the Rangers' game against the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, February 25, 2018 as part of Jean Ratelle Night presented by Chase.

"Jean Ratelle is truly one of the greatest players to have ever played for the New York Rangers," Sather said. "Few players have demonstrated the class, dignity, and gracefulness that Jean possessed throughout his career, both on and off the ice. I had the good fortune to call Jean a teammate with the Rangers, I am proud to still call Jean a friend, and I am honored to announce that he will take his rightful place in the rafters of Madison Square Garden."

Ratelle played parts of 16 seasons with the Rangers (1960-61 - 1975-76), registering 336 goals and 481 assists for 817 points, along with a plus-167 rating in 861 games. He ranks second on the Rangers' all-time goals list, ranks third on the franchise's all-time assists list and all-time points list, and ranks sixth in career games played with the Blueshirts. Ratelle and Rod Gilbert are the only players who rank third or higher on the Rangers' all-time lists for goals, assists, and points. In addition, Ratelle is one of only five players in franchise history who played in parts of 16 or more seasons with the Rangers (along with Gilbert, Harry Howell, Brian Leetch, and Ron Greschner).



During his tenure with the Rangers, Ratelle was the recipient of the team's Most Valuable Player Award twice (1971-72 and 1972-73), the Players' Player Award five times (1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75), and the Frank Boucher Trophy as the team's most popular player on and off the ice (as selected by the Rangers Fan Club) twice (1971-72 and 1972-73). He ranked 10th or higher in the NHL in goals three times (1967-68, 1971-72, 1972-73), assists three times (1967-68, 1969-70, 1971-72), and points five times (1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1971-72, 1972-73) during his Rangers tenure. He also registered 30 or more goals in more seasons than any other player in franchise history (six). Ratelle recorded the final goal at the 'Old Garden' (MSG III) in a 3-3 tie against Detroit on February 11, 1968, and he took the first faceoff for the Rangers at the current MSG (MSG IV) on February 18, 1968 against Philadelphia.

Ratelle was the center on the Rangers' famous Goal-A-Game Line (G-A-G Line) with left wing Vic Hadfield and right wing Rod Gilbert. During the 1971-72 season, Ratelle, Hadfield, and Gilbert ranked third, fourth, and fifth, respectively, in the NHL in points during the regular season. Ratelle tallied 109 points (46 goals, 63 assists) and posted a plus-61 rating in 63 games during the 1971-72 season, becoming the first Ranger to tally 100 points in a season (along with Hadfield) and establishing a single-season franchise record for points. Ratelle received the Lester B. Pearson Award (since renamed the Ted Lindsay Award) as the NHL's Most Outstanding Player as selected by the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) in 1971-72, as well as the Lady Byng Trophy for being the player "adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability."



Ratelle played in parts of 21 NHL seasons with the Rangers and Bruins, registering 491 goals and 776 assists for 1,267 points, along with a plus-295 rating in 1,280 games. A five-time NHL All-Star, Ratelle was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985, and in 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. Ratelle is the only player in NHL history who tallied at least 1,200 career points while amassing fewer than 300 career penalty minutes. Ratelle received the Lady Byng Trophy twice in his NHL career (1971-72 and 1975-76), and he also received the Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the player who "best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey," in 1970-71.

Ratelle will join Rod Gilbert (7), Ed Giacomin (1), Mike Richter (35), Mark Messier (11), Brian Leetch (2), Adam Graves (9), Andy Bathgate (9), and Harry Howell (3) as the only Rangers whose jersey numbers have been retired by the organization. Gilbert was the first Ranger to have his number retired on Oct. 14, 1979, and was joined by Giacomin's No. 1 on Mar. 15, 1989, Richter's No. 35 on Feb. 4, 2004, Messier's No. 11 on Jan. 12, 2006, Leetch's No. 2 on Jan. 24, 2008, Graves' No. 9 on Feb. 3, 2009, and most recently, Bathgate's No. 9 and Howell's No. 3 on Feb. 22, 2009. In addition, Ratelle's jersey number will be among nine New York Knickerbockers that have been remembered in the ceiling of The World's Most Famous Arena. Former Knicks players Walt Frazier (10), Dick Barnett (12), Earl Monroe (15), Dick McGuire (15), Willis Reed (19), Dave DeBusschere (22), Bill Bradley (24), and most recently Patrick Ewing (33) have all had their numbers honored by the team, along with Hall-of-Fame coach Red Holzman (613).

NYR TODAY Monday 8/28: Alumni Birthday, Today in Rangers History

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.