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.
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