new york rangers history
new york rangers history
In the heart of Manhattan, there is an ice hockey team that has existed since 1926. They play in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Former team members include "The Great One" Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mike Richter, and Eric Lindros. New York Rangers ticket holders know that they have history in each of their games at Madison Square Garden. In New York, the City that Never Sleeps, the New York Rangers are on their way to a successful season, with hopefully a Stanley Cup in their near future.
The New York Rangers were named after their owner, Tex Rickard in 1926. "Tex’s Rangers" were known as the "classiest team in hockey" and began their history by advancing to the playoffs, where they lost to the Boston Bruins. One of the original six hockey teams, the New York Rangers have had both their share of losing seasons and Stanley Cup winning seasons.
With nine Stanley Cup Finals appearances and four championships, the New York Rangers have proven that they can be winners, but the decades between appearances and wins have been long and difficult for New York Rangers ticket holders. Winning the Stanley Cup in their second year, 1928, the Rangers suffered losing seasons in 1929 and 1932, until bouncing back in 1933.
Over 40 years passed until the New York Rangers won their fourth Stanley Cup in 1994 by beating the New Jersey Devils. With players such as Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Sergei Zubov, and Adam Graves, the Rangers brought home the Stanley Cup. Brian Leetch became the first American to win the Conn Smythe Trophy. He remains the only American ever to win the award, given to the NHL’s most valuable player.
After the Stanley Cup win, the New York Rangers has had another streak of missing the playoffs. The Rangers’ management has used the time to rebuild the team. Their first try landed the Rangers with a lot of very expensive star power. At the time, they had the most expensive payroll in the NHL but still finished out of the playoffs. Over time, the Ranger front office has changed their strategy by trading some of their older players like Brian Leetch in exchange for numerous prospects and valuable draft picks like Petr Prucha, Dominic Moore, and Blair Betts. The New York Rangers are moving away from established hockey stars and instead looking to young, raw talent in hope that it will excite New York Rangers ticket holders and young fans.
This season the New York Rangers are eager to prove that the risk is paying off. The Rangers are shooting for a winning season and a return to the NHL Playoffs and the Stanley Cup. With stars like Jaromir Jagr and the younger brother of Sergei Federov, Fedor Federov, the New York Rangers ticket holders are excited for the future of their team in Madison Square Garden.
