NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW
PRESEASON MATCH UP: NEW YORK RANGERS (2-1) @ PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (2-2-1)
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 7:00 PM, MSG Network
Tonight the Rangers head to Philadelphia to take on the Flyers in the first of two meetings between the teams this preseason. Heading into the game after a loss to New Jersey on Saturday the Rangers should be upbeat despite the results. The Rangers showed their "moxie" and rebounded to bring the game close with two third period goals.
Goaltender Henrik Lunsqvist will make his preseason debut after return from Worls Cup of Hockey Action. Lundqvist is expected to play the first half of the game and Mackenzie Skapski will finish the game.
Look for this to be a physical game as it always is between the Rangers and Flyers, a must see encounter to say the least.
Preseason Team Leaders
GOALS: NYR Brandon Pirri 3 --- PHI Wayne Simmonds 2
ASSISTS: NYR Adam Clendening 4 --- PHI Travis Sanheim 3
POINTS: NYR Brandon Pirri 5 --- PHI Brayden Schenn 3
RANGERS LINEUP VS PHILADELPHIA
Forwards:
Vesey-Stepan-Nash
Pirri-Hayes-Buchnevich
Miller-Hrivik-Kovacs
Glass-Lapierre-Stromwall
Defense Pairs:
McDonagh-Clendening
Graves-McIlrath
Summers-Holden
Goaltenders:
Lundqvist
Skapski
NYRTC 2016 NOTES:
Lundqvist, Vigneault, Zuccarello, Training Camp Roster
Lundqvist said he'll play half the game tomorrow in Philadelphia.
"It definitely feels like home now." - Lundqviston returning to #NYR after the #WCH2016
"It was a great feeling 2 come back here. I've been away for 4 months. You miss the place, you miss the rink, you miss the guys."
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AV said Skapski will get the other half of tomorrow night's game with Lundqvist.
Rangers will make cuts following Monday's game in Philadelphia.
AV said Zuccarello arrived at NYRTC today, but is not expecting him to play in the preseason, though that could change.
AV: Because of performances in preseason, players are "making it hard on us" in terms of roster decisions.
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OFFICIAL: NYR have assigned defenseman Sean Day to his junior team, the Mississauga Steelheads of the OHL.
NYR now have 47 players remaining in NYRTC The roster breakdown is below:
NYR Alumni Birthdays October 3:
Patrick Flatley RW (1996-1997) Any Hebenton RW (1955-1963) Michael Nylander C (2005-2007) Jean Ratelle C (1960-1975) Ronnie Sundin D (1997-1998)
Patrick Flatley
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1996-97)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 68
Playoff Games with Rangers: 11
Uniform Number: 8
Retired from NHL: 1997
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on Sept. 26, 1996.
Departed
Retired from NHL following the 1996-97 season.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 5, 1996 (Rangers at Boston Bruins)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
May 16, 1997 (Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers) (playoffs)
Andy Hebenton
Seasons with Rangers: 8 (1955-1963)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 560
Playoff Games with Rangers: 22
Uniform Number: 12
Retired from pro hockey: 1975
Acquired
Pro hockey rights sold to Rangers by Victoria (WHL) in June 1955.
Departed
Claimed by Boston in NHL Intra-League Draft on June 4, 1963.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 7, 1955 (Rangers at Chicago Black Hawks)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
March 24, 1963 (Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens)
MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Lady Byng Trophy — 1956-57
NHL All-Star Game — 1960
RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Players` Player Award — 1958-59 (co-winner), 1959-60, 1960-61
RANGERS RECORDS
Most consecutive regular-season games played — 560 from Oct. 7, 1955, to March 24, 1963
The greatest "Iron Man" in New York Rangers history, left wing Andy Hebenton played a remarkable 560 consecutive games for the Bluieshirts from 1955 to 1963. Including playoff games, Hebenton`s total reaches 582 — also a Rangers record.
Michael Nylander
Seasons with Rangers: 2 (2005-2007)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 160
Playoff Games with Rangers: 14
Uniform Number: 92
Retired from pro hockey: 2015
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 10, 2004.
Departed
Signed with Washington as an unrestricted free agent on July 2, 2007.
RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 5, 2005 (Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers)
RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most playoff points — 2007
Most playoff goals — 2007
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS WHILE IN RANGERS ORGANIZATION
2006 World Championships in Latvia
Jean Ratelle
Seasons with Rangers: 16 (1960-1975)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 862
Playoff Games with Rangers: 65
Minor-league games: 269
Minor-league teams: Guelph (OHA) 1958-1961; Trois-Rivieres (EPHL) 1959-60; Kitchener-Waterloo (EPHL) 1961-62; Baltimore (AHL) 1962-1964
Uniform Numbers: 5, 14, 19
Retired from NHL: 1981
Acquired
Scouted and signed by Rangers as a free agent in 1958.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Boston with Brad Park in exchange for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais on Nov. 7, 1975.
RANGERS DEBUT
March 4, 1961 (Rangers at Toronto Maple Leafs)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
Nov. 4, 1975 (Rangers at Vancouver Canucks)
MAJOR NHL AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS WITH RANGERS
Hockey Hall of Fame — Inducted 1985
Lester B. Pearson Award — 1971-72
Masterton Trophy — 1970-71
NHL Second All-Star Team — 1971-72
NHL All-Star Game — 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973
RANGERS TEAM AWARDS
Rangers MVP — 1971-72, 1972-73
Players` Player Award — 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75
Boucher Trophy (Most Popular) — 1971-72, 1972-73
RANGERS RECORDS
Highest points-per-game average in one season — 1.73 in 1971-72
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS WHILE WITH RANGERS
1972 Summit Series — Canada vs. USSR
RANGERS TEAM LEADER
Most points — 1967-68, 1968-69, 1971-72, 1972-73
Most goals — 1967-68, 1968-69, 1972-73
Most assists — 1971-72
Most playoff points — 1973 (tie), 1975 (tie)
Most playoff assists — 1968, 1971, 1975
Ronnie Sundin
Seasons with Rangers: 1 (1997-98)
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 1
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Minor-league games: 67
Minor-league teams: Hartford (AHL) 1997-98
Uniform Number: 38
Retired from NHL: 2009
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in Round 9 of 1996 NHL Entry Draft (Eighth Rangers pick, No. 237 overall).
Departed
Returned to Sweden following 1997-98 season.
RANGERS DEBUT
Jan. 14, 1998 (Rangers at New Jersey Devils)
INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS WHILE IN RANGERS ORGANIZATION
1997 World Championships in Finland
Today in NYR History October 3:
1940: Jean Ratelle is born in Lac St. Jean, Quebec.
Few players in New York Rangers history have had as dramatic an impact on the franchise as Hall of Famer Jean Ratelle.
First recommended to the organization by childhood friend and longtime teammate Rod Gilbert, Ratelle joined the Rangers` junior team in Guelph, Ontario as a 17-year-old in 1958. He would spent the next 17 years as a member of the organization and by the time he left, he held numerous single season and career records.
Ratelle got his first crack at the NHL on March 4, 1961, and he wasted little time making an impression. He scored the go-ahead goal to put the Rangers up 4-3 with 10:28 remaining in Toronto. Although the Blueshirts went on to lose the game 5-4, Ratelle had already shown how serious he was about an NHL career. He also scored in his second game as a Ranger, played the following night at Madison Square Garden.
It took awhile before Ratelle earned a regular job with the Rangers in 1964. Once he arrived for good, he began lighting up NHL scoresheets. He broke 30 goals in all three seasons from 1967-68 to 1969-70 and had 70 or more points in six seasons between 1967-68 and 1972-73.
But it was in 1971-72 that Ratelle truly made his mark, becoming the first Rangers player to score 100 points in a season. Centering the famous GAG (Goal-A-Game) Line with Gilbert on his right and Vic Hadfield at left wing, Ratelle finished the season with 109 points despite missing the final 15 games with a broken ankle. His single-season points record stood for the next 34 years until it was broken by Jaromir Jagr in 2005-06.
In the two-season stretch from 1972 to 1974, Ratelle scored 87 goals and 203 points in 151 games. In the four-season stretch from 1972 to 1976, he scored 151 goals and 361 points in 298 games.
By the time he left the team in a November 1975 trade, Ratelle had represented the Rangers in four NHL All-Star Games and led the Blueshirts in scoring four times. He is also one of only two players in Rangers` history to win the Players` Player Award in four consecutive seasons-- ensuring his legacy as one of the team`s greatest ever.
1991: Adam Graves makes his Rangers debut against the Boston Bruins, wearing No. 11.
One of the most popular figures to ever wear the New York Rangers uniform, Adam Graves spent 10 years with the Blueshirts, setting a watermark in professional sports for excellence both on and off the ice.
Drafted by Detroit, Graves won the Stanley Cup with Edmonton before signing with the Rangers in 1991. He had an immediate impact in New York, registering 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points in his first season with the Rangers.
Graves will always be best known for his achievements and contributions to the Rangers magical 1994 Stanley Cup team, helping break a 54-year old championship draught. "Gravy" set the Rangers` single season record for most goals in the 1993-94 season, tallying 52 goals to break Vic Hadfield’s 22-year old mark of 50. His record stood for 12 years before Jaromir Jagr notched 54 in the 2005-06 campaign.
Graves also recorded 27 assists for 79 points, appeared NHL All-Star Game, and was named as an NHL Second Team All-Star in 1993-94.
Although it would have been hard for any player to author an encore to his 1993-94 season, Graves appeared in seven more solid seasons in New York, recording at least 20 goals in five of those years.
From 1991-2001, the Rangers` No. 9 won numerous league and team honors. He was recognized by the NHL with its King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1994, presented annually to the NHL player "who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made noteworthy humanitarian contributions to his community".
In 2000, Graves was honored with the NHL Player Foundation award, "recognizing the NHL player who applies the core values of hockey - -commitment, perseverance and teamwork — to enrich the lives of people in his community.”
The Professional Hockey Writer`s Association awarded Graves the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2001 as the "NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey."
In addition, Graves has received numerous Rangers` team awards, including the Most Valuable Player honor in 1992-93 and 1993-94.
Outside his numerous league and team awards, Graves has been recognized with honors from countless organizations and publications for his achievements in the community, including USA Weekend`s "Most Caring Athlete" Award, Sports Illustrated for Kids` "Good Sport" Award and The Sporting News` "Good Guy" Award.
Traded to San Jose at the 2001 NHL Draft, Graves played two seasons for the Sharks before retiring in 2003 from a shoulder injury. He returned to the Rangers organization in the summer of 2005 as Special Assistant, Prospect Development and Community Relations. In this role, he assists in the Blueshirts` many community outreach and fan development programs and also works with the team`s young prospects as they prepare for a life in pro hockey.
1997: Brian Leetch is named the 23rd captain in Rangers history.
Born in Texas but raised in Cheshire, Conn., defenseman Brian Leetch spent 17 remarkable seasons with the Blueshirts, setting NHL and Ranger records throughout his historical career.
After playing a single season at Boston College and then joining Team USA for the 1988 Olympics, Leetch signed his first NHL contract with the Rangers in late February 1988 and made his debut on Feb. 29, 1988, at The Garden against St. Louis. He went on to skate in 17 games for the Blueshirts in 1987-88, tallying two goals and 12 assists for 14 points.
Leetch`s first full season was the 1987-88 campaign, and he tallied 71 points, including 23 goals, a record for rookie defenseman. That season, he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL`s Rookie of the Year and was selected to the All-Rookie Team.
In 1991-92, Leetch enjoyed his highest-scoring season — notching 22 goals and 80 assists for 102 points in 80 games. He became only the fifth defenseman in history to top the century mark in points, and was awarded the Norris Trophy for the first time.
In 1993-94, Leetch matched his career-best 23 goals and finished with 56 assists for 79 points. He then turned in a brilliant postseason performance to lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. In 23 games, he tallied 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points to become the first non-Canadian born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the postseason MVP. Leetch remains the only American to win that award.
The 11-time All-Star, who missed two All-Star Games due to injury, won his second and final Norris Trophy following the 1996-97 season. In 82 games, he netted 20 goals and 58 assists for 78 points. Following the departure of Mark Messier after that year’s surprising playoff run to the Conference Finals, Leetch was named the 23rd captain in Rangers history. He held the honor from the 1997-98 season until Messier’s return to the Blueshirts prior to the 2000-01 campaign.
Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 3, 2004, but had one last chance to come back The Garden as a member of the Bruins two years later. As he stood on the blueline prior to the game, Leetch received a standing ovation from fans, and the team honored him with a donation to the Ronald McDonald House, a charity he had worked tirelessly for during his years in New York.
"It was great. I don`t think that during the season you can really do too much," Leetch said of the pregame tribute. "Both teams have too much at stake to really focus on someone during the game. I didn`t even hear what was going on. The Ronald McDonald House was a big part of my life out here."
"It was a strange feeling sitting on that blue line," Leetch said that day. "All I can say is thank you."
2008: Chris Drury is named the 25th captain in Rangers history.
Currently the New york Rangers Assistant General Manager, Drury on July 1, 2007 signed a five-year, $35.25 million contract with the New York Rangers. He made his Rangers debut against the Florida Panthers, scoring a goal in a 5–2 win. On February 1, 2008, in a game against the New Jersey Devils, Drury scored an empty net goal on the power play for his 500th career point. He finished his first season with the Rangers with 58 points – third in team scoring. Matched up against the New Jersey Devils in the first round, Drury scored the game-winning and series-clinching goal to eliminate the Devils in five games.[19] On October 1, 2008, Drury and the Rangers won the Victoria Cup, defeating Metallurg Magnitogorsk by a score of 4–3.
After the departure of Jaromir Jagr from the Rangers to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Drury was named the 25th captain in Rangers history on October 3, 2008. Drury was only the second American-born captain in team history (The first was Brian Leetch from 1997 to 2000). This made Drury one of four active NHL players at the time to have captained two different NHL teams (the others were Chris Pronger, Joe Thornton and former teammate Adam Foote).
Drury was named to the United States roster for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Drury, Jamie Langenbrunner and Brian Rafalski were the only members of the 2010 team who have previous Olympic experience. Because of his disappointing play for the Rangers in 2010 (he had spent much of the season on the fourth line, with a pre-Olympics scoring total of 8G-11A-19P and a –14 plus-minus rating), Drury's inclusion on the team was questioned by former Olympian Jeremy Roenick, who said the team might be better served by adding either former Rangers teammate Scott Gomez or T. J. Oshie. On February 21, 2010, Drury scored the go-ahead goal to break a 2–2 tie in a critical round-robin game against Canada. The American team went on to win 5–3. The Americans lost a rematch to the Canadians in the gold medal game and Drury was awarded an Olympic silver medal for the second time.
In June 2011, rumors began circulating that the Rangers were looking to negotiate a contract buyout with Drury. However, these rumors were silenced after it was announced that Drury may have a degenerative condition in his left knee which would cause him to miss the entire 2011–12 season. On June 29, 2011, Drury accepted a buy-out of the final year of his contract, to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, 2011.
