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

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/31

Art Coulter D (1935-1942) Sam McAdam LW (1930-1931)

Today in NYR History May 31

1961: Defenseman Doug Harvey, a six-time Norris Trophy winner with the Montreal Canadiens, signs a contract with the New York Rangers to serve as player-coach, replacing Alf Pike. The Canadiens receive forward Lou Fontinato from the Rangers as compensation. Harvey goes on to win his seventh Norris Trophy and help the Rangers qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

1994: The Rangers open their first Stanley Cup Final since 1979. Falling in game 1,handing the Vancouver Canucks a win in a Cup Final Game for the first time in their history. Greg Adams scores at 19:26 of overtime for a 3-2 win after a 17-shot barrage.

NYR TODAY Wednesday May 30:NYR Alumni Birthdays

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/30

Vic Ripley LW (1933-1934) Giles Villemure G (1963-64,1967-69,1970-75) David Wilkie D (1993-95,1996-97)

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

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/29 

Bill Carse C (1938-1939) Jason Dawe RW (1999-00,2001-02) Mike Keane RW (1997-1998) Brian Noonan RW (1993-1995,1996-97)

Today in NYR History May 29

2014: The New York Rangers advance to the Cup Final for the first time since 1994 by defeating the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 at Madison Square Garden to win the Eastern Conference Final in six games. Dominic Moore scores late in the second period and Henrik Lundqvist makes 18 saves for the shutout. It's Lundqvist's 42nd win in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, moving him past Mike Richter for the most in Rangers history.

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

NYR Alumni Birthday 5/28 

Clarence "Taffy" Abel D (1926-1929)

Today in NYR History May 28

The Rangers select Dave Maloney 14th overall and Ron Greschner 32nd overall in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft.
Both draft picks ould go on to Captain the Rangers during their careers. Maloney would become the youngest Captain in franchise history.

NYR TODAY Sunday May 27:NYR Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/27

Jimmy Bartlett LW (1955-56,1958-60) Ike Hildebrand RW (1953-1954) Ray Sheppard RW (1990-1991)

Today in NYR History May 27
1994: Matteau!!! Matteau!!! Matteau!!! 

Stephane Matteau, who had won Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals with a double-OT goal, swooped in and beat Scott Niedermeyer to the loose puck. Matteau then carried the puck behind the Devils’ cage and emerged on the other side, where defenseman Slava Fetisov was charging towards him. Matteau proceeded to put a wraparound shot off Brodeur’s stick and over the goal line at 4:24 of the second overtime to set off a wild celebration, both on the ice and in the stands at MSG a 2-1 victory in Game 7 for the Rangers! 4-3 series win for the Rangers sending them to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1979.

NYR TODAY Saturday May 26:NYR Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/26 

Steven Rice RW (1990-1991) P.J. Stock C (1997-2000) Christian Thomas RW (2012-2013)

Today in NYR History 26

1971: The Rangers trade Peter McDuffe to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for a first-round pick in the 1971 NHL Draft, which they used to select Steve Vickers.

2010: The Rangers sign forward Mats Zuccarello to an Entry Level Contract.

2015: The New York Rangers avoid elimination from the Eastern Conference Final with a 7-3 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 at Amalie Arena. Derick Brassard scores three goals and has two assists for the Rangers, who score five times in the third period to break open a game that they led 2-1 after two periods. Rick Nash and J.T. Miller each have a goal and three assists for New York.

NYR TODAY Friday May 25:NYR Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/25 

Wayne Dillon C (1975-1978) Nick Fotiu LW (1976-79,1980-85) David Shaw D (1987-1991)

Today in NYR History May 25

1994: "The Guarantee"

Mark Messier delivers on his guarantee that the New York Rangers will defeat the New Jersey Devils in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final.

"We will win tonight," Messier tells reporters with the Rangers down 3-2 in the best-of-7 series. His words are splashed on the front pages of newspapers all around the city.

With the Rangers down 2-0 late in the second period at Brendan Byrne Arena, Messier sets up Alex Kovalev before intermission to cut the deficit to one goal. He ties the game early in the third period, puts New York ahead with 7:48 remaining and caps his performance by shooting the puck the length of the ice into an empty net to give the Rangers a 4-2 victory.

"I felt that [guaranteeing a win] would be a great way to let my players know that I believed we could go in there and win Game 6, because we had beaten them six times during the regular season -- three times in their building," Messier said. 

The victory evens the series at three wins apiece with Game 7 at Madison Square Garden two days later, meaning the Rangers don't have much time to celebrate.

"Winning the game was a good feeling, but we didn't have long to relish it," Messier said. "All we had done was send the series back to the Garden, and we knew that Game 7 was no sure thing."

Wyshynski: Why Tavares to the Rangers could and could not work

Why it could work
The Rangers have enough cap space to sign two John Tavareses next summer. With Mika Zibanejad coming into his own and blue-chip prospect Filip Chytil on the way, New York would be stacked at center, which is currently a position of need. The Rangers have enough veterans to "win now" and enough young players for the future to remain bright. Tavares would remain in New York, where he has lived for a decade. And we're pretty sure the Rangers will have an arena for him to play in.

Why it could not work
It's difficult to comprehend how a player so dedicated to one New York-area team could then sign with the rival Rangers -- but the less said about the Scott Gomez signing, the better. Tavares would be placing himself under a microscope he has done his best to avoid for years. There's no hiding when you're center stage at Madison Square Garden. OK, maybe he could hide in the smoke generated by Islanders fans burning his jersey in effigy the moment he's introduced as a Ranger, but that depends on which direction the wind is blowing off the Hudson River.

- Gren Wyshynski, ESPN

NYR TODAY Thursday May 24:NYR Alumni Birthdays

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/24

Kent-Erik Andersson RW (1982-1984) Artem Anisimov C (2008-2012) Bruce Gamble G (1958-1959) Johan Holmqvist G (2000-01,2002-03) Pat Verbeek RW (1995-1996)

RANGERS NAME DAVID QUINN 35th HEAD COACH: OFFICIAL RELEASE

David Quinn Named Rangers Head Coach

by New York Rangers @NYRangers / NYRangers.com

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has named David Quinn the team's new Head Coach.

"I am very pleased to welcome David Quinn to the New York Rangers," said James Dolan, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Madison Square Garden Company. "David brings a diverse and successful coaching resume that includes extensive work in developing young talent. I am confident he is an excellent fit for our team, and know he will work tirelessly with Glen, Jeff and our entire organization to execute our plan to build the next Rangers Stanley Cup contending team."

"We are excited to announce that David will become the next Head Coach of the New York Rangers," Gorton said. "In a coaching career that has spanned over two decades at the collegiate, pro, and international level, David has helped his teams achieve success while simultaneously teaching the game and helping his players develop on and off the ice. He is the ideal choice to bring our loyal and passionate fans the winning hockey they deserve."

Quinn, 51, becomes the Rangers 35th Head Coach in franchise history. He joins the Rangers after serving as Head Coach at Boston University for the previous five seasons (2013-14 - 2017-18). During this time, Quinn led the Terriers to a 105-68-21 record. Under Quinn's guidance, Boston University captured two Hockey East Tournament Championships (2014-15 and 2017-18), two Hockey East Regular Season Championships (2014-15 and 2016-17), and The Beanpot in 2014-15, while also making four consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearances (2014-15 - 2017-18). He was named both Hockey East Coach of the Year and New England Coach of the Year during the 2014-15 season, when he oversaw the biggest turnaround in school history by guiding Boston University to a 28-8-5 record, an 18-win improvement over the previous season. In addition, Quinn was the runner-up for the Spencer Penrose Award in 2014-15, which is given annually to the top Division 1 Men's Hockey Coach in the country. During Boston University's four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances under Quinn, the school advanced to the NCAA Championship Game in 2014-15 and the Regional Final in both 2016-17 and 2017-18. 



The Cranston, Rhode Island native oversaw the development of several of the NHL's top draft picks during his tenure as Boston University's Head Coach. Over the last three NHL Entry Drafts (2015 - 2017), three players who had already played at least one season under Quinn at Boston University were selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft (forward Jack Eichel - second overall in 2015; defenseman Charlie McAvoy - 14th overall in 2016; goaltender Jake Oettinger - 26th overall in 2017), while forward Brady Tkachuk is ranked second among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting for the upcoming 2018 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, either McAvoy and/or Matt Grzelcyk was named a First Team All-American in three consecutive seasons (2014-15 - 2016-17), while Eichel won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in collegiate hockey in 2014-15. Quinn also coached current Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller for one season in 2016-17, who is one of three finalists for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year in 2017-18.

In addition to his head coaching experience at Boston University, Quinn has been a member of several coaching staffs at the professional and collegiate level. Quinn previously served one season as an Assistant Coach in the NHL as a member of the Colorado Avalanche's coaching staff (2012-13). Quinn served as Head Coach for three seasons with Colorado's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, from 2009-10 - 2011-12 before becoming an Assistant Coach with the Avalanche.



He began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach with Northeastern University for two seasons (1994-95 and 1995-96). Quinn also worked as an Assistant Coach at the collegiate level with the University of Nebraska-Omaha (1996-97 - 2001-02) and as an Associate Head Coach with Boston University (2004-05 - 2008-09). In his final year at Boston University, he helped the school win the National Championship. He was responsible for working with the team's defensemen and in 2008-09, he helped develop a defense corps that included current Ranger Kevin Shattenkirk, as well as former Ranger and the winner of the 2008-09 Hobey Baker Award, Matt Gilroy. 

Internationally, Quinn has coached some of the United States' top players in several tournaments, as well as helped develop players through the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP). He was named the USA Hockey Development Coach of the Year in 2002-03, when he served as Head Coach of the United States' Under-17 Team in the USNTDP. He began his international coaching career as an Assistant Coach with the U.S. Women's Hockey Team at the IIHF World Championship, and he helped the team earn a silver medal in two consecutive years (1999 and 2000). He has also served as an Assistant Coach with Team USA at the IIHF World U18 Championship (2003), the IIHF World Junior Championship (2005), and the IIHF World Championship (2007, 2012, and 2016), and as a member of the coaching staff at the 2016 IIHF World Championship, he coached current Rangers defenseman Brady Skjei. In addition, on April 20, 2018, Quinn was named Head Coach for the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team.


Prior to beginning his coaching career, Quinn played collegiate hockey at Boston University for four seasons (1984-85 - 1987-88). He was selected by the Minnesota North Stars in the first round, 13th overall, of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, and won a bronze medal while representing the United States at the 1986 IIHF World Junior Championship. In addition, the defenseman was a member of the Rangers organization for part of one season, skating in 19 regular season games and two playoff games with the Binghamton Rangers of the AHL in 1991-92.

NYR TODAY Wednesday May 23:Today in Rangers History

Today in NYR History May 23

2013: The Rangers live to play another day following Chris Kreider's overtime winner over Boston in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

NYR TODAY Tuesday May 22: Alumni Birthday, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthday 

5/22 Bryan Hextall Jr C (1962-1963)

Today in NYR History May 22

1995: Brian Leetch becomes the first Rangers defenseman to record a playoff hat trick against the Flyers, Leetch scores all three New York Rangers goals in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

NYR TODAY Monday May 21: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/21:

Sylvain Blouin LW (1996-1998) Todd White C (2010-2011) Matt Hunwick D (2014-2015)

Today in NYR History May 21

1995: Mark Messier ties his Rangers career-high of three assists in one playoff game during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Flyers.

NYR TODAY Sunday May 20: Alumni Birthdays

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/20

Dan Blackburn G (2001-2003) Jim Ross D (1951-1952)

NYR TODAY Saturday May 19: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/19 

Ivan Baranka D (2007-2008) Mark Janssens C (1988-1992) Andreas Johansson LW (2001-2002) Murray Murdoch LW (1926-1937) Carey Wilson C (1988-1990)

Today in NYR History May 19

1994: Stephane Matteau scores at 6:13 of the second overtime to give the visiting New York Rangers a 3-2 win against the New Jersey Devils in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. Matteau beats Martin Brodeur on the Rangers' 50th shot of the game, putting New York ahead 2-1 in the best-of-7 series. It's the first of two overtime goals by Matteau in the series.

2012: Chris Kreider scores one of the Rangers' three third-period goals in a 3-0 victory against the Devils at Prudential Center in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final. It's the fifth goal of the playoffs for Kreider, who joins the Rangers for the playoffs after their 82-game regular season concludes. He sets an NHL record for most goals scored in the playoffs by a player who has yet to play in a regular-season game, passing Eddie Mazur, who scores four times for the Montreal Canadiens in 1951 and '52.

NYR TODAY Friday May 18: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/18

Jari Kurri RW (1995-1996) Manny Malhotra C (1998-2000) Marty McSorley D (1995-1996) Darren VanImpe D (2001-2002) Jay Wells D (1991-1995)

Today in NYR History May 18

1965: The Rangers acquire goaltender Ed Giacomin from Providence (AHL).

1997: Wayne Gretzky gets his 10th and final playoff hat trick by scoring three times in the New York Rangers' 5-4 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Spectrum in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final. Gretzky scores twice in less than two minutes in the first period and completes his hat trick midway through the second.

NYR TODAY Thursday May 17: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthday 5/17 

Claude Larose LW (1979-80,1982 Playoffs)

Today in NYR History May 17

1994: Mike Richter ties a franchise record with his fourth shutout in one playoff year with a 4-0 victory over the Devils in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Final.

NYR TODAY Wednesday May 16: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthday 5/16

Floyd Smith RW (1960-1961)

Today in NYR History May 16

1995: The eighth-seeded Rangers upset the No. 1 seed Quebec Nordiques in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden, to win the series, 4-2. It's the last game the Nordiques play before moving to Colorado.

2017-18 Season In Review: Jesper Fast

Jesper Fast established career-highs in goals (13), points (33), even strength goals (13), and hits (130), and tied his career-high in assists (20). He led the Rangers in hits and shorthanded assists (two), tied for the team lead in shorthanded points (two), and ranked third in primary assists (14), even strength assists (18), and even strength points (31). He was named the winner of the Players’ Player Award, which is given annually to the player who, as selected by his teammates, “best exemplifies what it means to be a team player” for the third consecutive season; and became the sixth Ranger in franchise history to win the award in at least three straight seasons.

The Rangers posted an 18-6-4 record in games which Fast tallied a point. He led all skaters with seven hits in 15:14 of ice time while making his season debut on Oct. 14 vs. NJD. He registered a goal and established a single-game career-high with a plus-three rating on Oct. 21 vs. NSH. He tied a single-game career-high with two assists on Nov. 4 at FLA.

The NassJo, Sweden native posted his first career NHL multi-goal game in the regular season by tallying two goals on Nov. 22 at CAR. He posted a three-game goal/point streak from Dec. 5 at PIT to Dec. 9 vs. NJD (three goals, one assist over the span); the three-game goal streak is a career-high. Fast recorded two points (one goal, one assist) on Dec. 9 vs. NJD, and notched an assist and posted a plus-one rating in the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1 against BUF. He registered a goal on Jan. 25 at SJS, and registered 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in his final 18 games of the season, including 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in his final 12 contests.

Fast posted a three-game point streak from Feb. 23 vs. MIN to Feb. 28 at VAN (two goals, one assist), and recorded a goal in two consecutive games on Feb. 23 vs. MIN and Feb. 25 vs. DET. He posted a career-high eight-game point streak from Mar. 8 at TBL to Mar. 24 vs. BUF (three goals, seven assists), including a career-high four-game assist streak from Mar. 17 at STL to Mar. 24 vs. BUF (four assists); the eight-game point streak was the longest by a Ranger in 2017- 18. He posted a three-game assist streak from Mar. 8 at TBL to Mar. 12 vs. CAR (three assists), and established a single-game career-high with three points (two goals, one assist) and posted the second multi-goal game of his NHL career on Mar. 22 at PHI.

NYR TODAY Tuesday May 15: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/15

Billy Boyd RW (1926-1929) Pat Hickey LW (1975-79,1981-82)

Today in NYR History May 15

The Birth of the New York Rangers
1926: The NHL adds a second team in New York when a franchise is granted to Madison Square Garden president Tex Rickard. The team soon becomes known throughout the city as Tex's Rangers, and the name Rangers sticks. The new team joins the one year after the New York Americans, who made their NHL debut in the 1925-26 season. In addition, the NHL says Chicago and Detroit will have teams for the 1926-27 season provided their home rinks are finished. The Rangers, Chicago and Detroit are placed with Boston and Pittsburgh in the American Division. The Americans, who like the Rangers play their home games at the Garden, join Ottawa, Toronto, the Montreal Canadiens and Montreal Maroons in the Canadian Division.

2017-18 Season In Review: David Desharnais

David Desharnais established a career-high in faceoff win percentage (55.1%; 386-for-701), and ranked 14th in the NHL (min. 700 faceoffs taken) in faceoff win percentage. He led the Rangers in faceoff win percentage, ranked third in faceoff wins, tied for fourth in even strength assists (17), and ranked fifth in assists (22).

Desharnais posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in 48 of 71 games in which he played, including a faceoff win percentage of 60.0% or better in 31 of those contests. on seven of 11 faceoffs (63.6%) and recorded three shots on goal while making his Rangers debut on Oct. 5 vs. COL. He won all five faceoffs he took on Oct. 10 vs. STL, and won eight of 11 faceoffs (72.7%) in 17:49 of ice time on Oct. 13 at CBJ. He posted a four-game point streak from Oct. 14 vs. NJD to Oct. 21 vs. NSH (two goals, three assists), and tallied his first assist/point as a Ranger on Oct. 14 vs. NJD.

The Laurier-Station, Quebec native registered two points (one goal, one assist), including his first goal as a Ranger, and posted a plus-two rating on Oct. 17 vs. PIT. He recorded a goal and won eight of 10 faceoffs (80.0%) on Oct. 19 vs. NYI, and posted a three-game point streak from Nov. 28 vs. FLA to Dec. 5 at PIT (one goal, four assists). Desharnais tied single-game career-highs with three assists and three points on Nov. 28 vs. FLA, and recorded a goal and won seven of nine faceoffs (77.8%) on Dec. 1 vs. CAR. He registered an assist/point in four games over a five-game span from Dec. 13 at OTT to Dec. 21 at NJD (five assists), and tallied two assists, both of which were primary assists, on Dec. 19 vs. ANA.

Desharnais led all skaters with 15 faceoff wins (15-for-19; 78.9%) and registered three shots on goal on Dec. 23 vs. TOR, and tallied the first goal of the game and won nine of 16 faceoffs (56.3%) on Dec. 29 at DET. He led all skaters with 14 faceoff wins (14-for21; 66.7%) while skating in a season-high 17:51 of ice time on Jan. 7 at VGK. Desharnais tallied an assist/point in two consecutive games on Jan. 16 vs. PHI and Jan. 18 vs. BUF (two assists), and registered a goal and won six of seven faceoffs (85.7%) in 16:24 of ice time on Jan. 21 at LAK, and won five of eight faceoffs (62.5%) while skating in his 500th career NHL game on Jan. 25 at SJS.

Desharnais tallied a goal and led the Rangers with four shots on goal on Feb. 5 at DAL, and notched an assist in two consecutive games on Feb. 9 vs. CGY and Feb. 11 at WPG. He tallied an assist on the game-winning goal, won five of nine faceoffs (55.6%), and posted a plus-two rating on Feb. 11 at WPG., and he registered an assist on the game-winning goal and won seven of 10 faceoffs (70.0%) on Mar. 3 at EDM. He tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating on Mar. 30 vs. TBL.

NYR TODAY Tuesday May 8: Rangers & Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

New York Rangers Birthday

Kevin Hayes, Center / Right Wing #13
Born May 8 1992, Dorchester, MA

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/8 

Corey Locke C (2009-2010) Jussi Markkanen G (2003-2004)

Today in NYR History May 8

1979: The Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final after beating the Islanders, 2-1, in Game 6 of the Semifinals at MSG.

1997: Mike Richter records his ninth and final playoff shutout of his career, making 35 saves in a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

NYR TODAY Monday May 7: World Update; Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

Chris Kreider scored his first goal of the tournament for Team USA and added an assist in its 4-0 victory over host country Denmark on Saturday.

Kreider, who was named Player of the Game, has four points through two games, the most of any American player and 10th-most in the tournament, tied with Connor McDavid and Mikko Rantanen. 

Mika Zibanejad continued his strong start to the tournament by scoring the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory for Sweden over the Czech Republic Sunday. The goal was Zibanejad's second to go along with an assist to give him three points through two games thus far.

Lastly, Pavel Buchnevich picked up an assist in Russia's 7-0 victory over Austria. The winger has a goal and an assist for Russia, who is perfect through two contests.

Kreider, Neal Pionk and Team USA take on Germany today at 10:15 am EST, while Russia battles Belarus at the same time. Zibanejad, Lias Andersson and Sweden go head-to-head with France at 2:15 pm EST. 

- Matt Calamia

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/7

Brad Isbister LW (2006-2007) Dave Karpa D (2001-2003) Reg Mackey D (1926-1927) Lawrence Nycholat D (2003-2004)

Win Elliot (Sportscaster.  Born, Chelsea, MA, May 7, 1915; died, Norwalk, CT, Sept. 17, 1998.)  From the time he attended the first N.H.L. game played in the U.S. (at Boston, 1924), Irwin Elliot Shalek was hooked on hockey.  Elliot played goal for Michigan, called the first televised N.H.L. game, and was the Rangers radio voice for four seasons.  A CBS Network announcer for decades, he did horse racing, boxing, and baseball, but hockey was his love and he may been the best at it ever in America.

Today in NYR History May 7

1986: John Vanbiesbrouck posts the first playoff shutout of his career in a 2-0 win over the Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

2012: Brad Richards ties Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals with 7.6 seconds remaining, and Marc Staal wins it in overtime against the Washington Capitals at MSG.