Bill Gadsby, Hockey Hall of Famer and Rangers great, dead at 88

BY Pat Leonard

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Updated: Thursday, March 10, 2016, 1:27 PM

Bill Gadsby is the latest Ranger to pass away after Andy Bathgate's death in February.

Former Ranger defenseman and Hockey Hall of Famer Bill Gadsby is dead at the age of 88.
The somber news follows the Feb. 26 death of Ranger legend Andy Bathgate at 83.
Gadsby, who spent significant stints during the Original Six days with the Chicago Blackhawks (1946-54), Rangers (1955-61) and Detroit Red Wings (1961-66), was the NHL’s all-time leader in games played, points and penalty minutes for a defenseman when he retired.
He boasted 130 goals, 568 points, and a whopping 1,539 penalty minutes in 1,248 career regular season games, and Gadsby told the Hockey Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 1970, that he was proudest of being one of the first NHL players to play 1,000 career games along with “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe.
ANDY BATHGATE, RANGERS HALL OF FAME WINGER, DEAD AT 83
Gadsby never won a Stanley Cup, but he racked up 58 goals, 271 points and 413 penalty minutes in 457 games for the Rangers after being acquired in the Nov. 1954 trade that sent Allan Stanley to Chicago.
Wearing jersey No. 4, he made five All-Star Games with the Rangers including three votes to the NHL’s First All-Star Team. He was team MVP in 1955-56, set the team record at the time for a Rangers defenseman’s assists at 46 in 1958-59, and had two goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games.
Detroit eventually acquired him on June 12, 1961, in exchange for Les Hunt, hoping to help them win a Cup. Gadsby never got that championship, but after retiring in 1966, he did coach the Wings from 1968-70, compiling a 35-31-12 record.
The Calgary, Alberta, product was a seven-time All-Star through his 20 career seasons. 

NYR TODAY MONDAY 2/15

RANGERS VS FLYERS POST GAME REVIEW
@RNYRF Staff Report

Eight days after losing defenseman Ryan McDonagh to a concussion after being punched by Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds, center Derek Stepan scored twice in the third period and goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves to help the Rangers to a 3-1 win against the Flyers at Madison Square Garden. Derick Brassard scored the Rangers opening goal helping New York to extend their point streak to six games 5-0-1.

McDonagh missed his 4th game with a concussion but has been participating in team practices.

The Rangers and flyers started the contest with the anticipated matchup of Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath taking on Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds :39 seconds into the opening period. McIlrath responded to Simmonds sucker punch of Captain Ryan McDonagh 8 days prior in Philadelphia taking on the Flyers enforcer and holding his own for a matter of respect and revenge. Simmonds was busted open during the encounter. 20 seconds later Rangers winger Tanner Glass dropped gloves with Flyers Center Ryan White continuing in setting the tone of the game.




"It was pretty clear. I wanted to send a message," McIlrath said. "I wanted to stick up for my teammate, our captain, our best player. I can respect [Simmonds] for squaring up with me and I'm just happy how it all worked out."

The Rangers extended their winning streak at home vs the Flyers to 5 years at Madison Square Garden, Philly not having won at the World's Most Famous Arena since a 4-2 win on February 20, 2011.

The Rangers return to action on Wednesday in an Original 6 matchup vs the Chicago Blackhawks at MSG.

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY February 15
1999: During the Rangers' first game in Nashville, Wayne Gretzky ties a franchise record with five assists in the team's 7-4 win over the Predators.

2000: Brian Leetch becomes the Rangers' all-time leading goal scorer among defensemen, passing Ron Greschner with his 180th goal.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 2/15 
Bruce Bell D (1987-1988) Jaromir Jagr RW (2004-2007) Tony McKegney LW (1986-1987) Ronald Petrovicky RW (2002-2003) Chuck Scherza C (1943-1945)

In Remembrance on his Birthday NY Rangers Hall of Fame Announcer Jim Gordon (February 15, 1927 – February 16, 2003).