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Today in NYR History June 24
1968: The Rangers recall Walt Tkaczuk from Kitchener and sign him to his first NHL contract.
Few players symbolized the Rangers` transition from the Original Six era to the booming age of NHL expansion like Walter Tkaczuk, a crafty center who spent a remarkable 13 full seasons with the Blueshirts.
Although he actually entered the NHL after the first major expansion in 1967, Tkaczuk was with the Rangers as the league grew from 12 to 21 teams. By the time he retired, due to an eye injury at age 33, he ranked third on the Rangers` career games-played list. His 945 games still put him in the top five.
From the moment he joined the Rangers organization as a 16-year-old junior player, Tkaczuk was viewed as a cornerstone of the team`s future. By 1968 he had made the team as a regular, and he went on to have his two best NHL seasons in his second and third year with the team.
In 1969-70, Tkaczuk was the Rangers` top offensive weapon, setting up 50 goals en route to a career-high 77 points. Winner of the Rangers MVP award that season, Tkaczuk continued his torrid scoring pace in 1970-71, adding 49 assists and 75 points.
At a time when the GAG Line was lighting up the scoresheets for the Rangers, Tkaczuk gave the team another threat in centering the famous Bulldog Line. But Tkaczuk wasn`t just about passing. He could also put the puck in the net — as was evidenced by his five straight 20-goal seasons from 1969-70 to 1973-74 and his remarkable seven-goal performance in 10 playoff games in 1973.
A career Ranger, Tkaczuk ranks second to Rod Gilbert in total games played by a player who never played for another NHL team.
RANGERS DEBUT
Jan. 24, 1968 (Rangers vs. Boston Bruins)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
Feb. 2, 1981 (Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings)
RANGERS CAPTAIN
Dec. 7, 1980 to Feb. 3, 1981
MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
NHL All-Star Game — 1970
RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Rangers MVP — 1969-70
Players` Player Award — 1972-73
Boucher Trophy (Most Popular) — 1969-70
RANGERS RECORDS
Most assists in one game — 5 at Pittsburgh on Feb. 12, 1972 (shares record with three others)
Most assists by a rookie in one game — 4 vs. Chicago on Feb. 26, 1969 (shares record with three others)
RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most points — 1969-70, 1970-71
Most assists — 1969-70, 1970-71
Most playoff points — 1973 (tie)
Most playoff goals — 1973
RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 180
Minor-league teams: Kitchener (OHA) 1963-1968; Omaha (CHL) 1967 playoffs; Buffalo (AHL) 1968-69
MISCELLANEOUS
Full Name: Walter Robert Tkaczuk
Uniform Numbers: 18
Retired from NHL: 1981
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