Rangers honor their New Garden Era

Discussing the time the Garden moved to its current location and the players who were a part of it

New York, NY- On Saturday night, December 13th, the New York Rangers had their next Centennial night as Sam Rosen returned to the Garden and introduced the many players who were a part of the Hockey club that made those years exciting, including two trips to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1972 against the Boston Bruins and 1979 against the Montreal Canadiens.

Moving Locations

Madison Square Garden originated across the street from Madison Square Park on the Northeast corner of Madison Avenue and E. 26th Street. The first building was an outdoor building from 1870-1890, then it was torn down for a new building that was indoors from 1890 – 1925. Then they moved to the west side at 8th Avenue between W. 49th & W. 50th Streets, that’s when the New York Rangers began to play hockey.

From 1925 till 1968, the second location and third building was dubbed “The House that Tex Built,” meaning original NY Rangers owner Tex Rickard. The same building that also housed the New York Knicks, big boxing matches, including the first Muhammad Ali Vs. Joe Frazier’s fight, and John F. Kennedy’s Birthday. Then they moved to their current location between 7th & 8th Avenues, between W. 31st & w 33.rd Streets.

The removal of the New York Penn Station building, not the tracks

The current building, which is the third location and fourth building of Madison Square Garden, took over when New York Penn Station removed its station house, but kept the railroad tracks for NJ Transit Rail, the Long Island Railroad, and now since the 70’s, Amtrak. The biggest transportation hub in the entire United States. Due to the advancement of cars and air travel, national rail travel was losing money rapidly.

That’s when the Pennsylvania Railroad, or at the time Penn Central (which bought the New York Central Railroad company), decided to sell the air rights, and the highest bidder was MSG. While the main entrance on 7th Avenue is still there, going down the stairs and escalators, Home and visiting fans still arrive by train to watch the Rangers or their favorite teams play the Rangers at The Garden.

The players who made the building great

These were the 22 players who were invited back to Madison Square Garden as they were honored for their loyal service wearing the Broadway Blueshirt, and they were given a hero’s cheer from the crowd when they entered from the visitors’ entrance near the Zamboni on the 8th avenue side of the building.

Tom Laidlaw

He played seven seasons for the Rangers. Selected in the 1978 NHL Draft, the Brampton, Ontario native Tom Laidlaw played in the 1980-81 season till the 1986-87 season. He played 510 games, scored 20 Goals, 99 assists for 119 points. Was an Assistant Captain and helped make the playoffs in all seven seasons.

Ed Johnstone

He played eight seasons for the Rangers. Selected in the 1974 NHL Draft, the Brandon, Manitoba native, Ed Johnstone, played in the 1975-76 season till the 1982-83 season. He played 371 games, scored 109 goals, and had 125 assists for 234 points. Had two 30 goal seasons with the Rangers, was a member of the 1979 Stanley Cup Final Team.

Reijo Ruotsalainen

He played five seasons for the Rangers. Selected in the 1980 NHL Draft, the Oulu, Finland native, Reijo Ruotsalainen, played in the 1981-82 season till the 1985-86 season. He played 389 Games, scored 99 Goals, and had 217 assists for 316 points. Led the team in scoring in the 1984-85 season.

Kelly Kisio

He played five seasons for the Rangers. A native of Peace River, Alberta, Kelly Kisio was involved in a four-player and three draft pick swap trade, sending himself, Lane Lambert, Jim Leavins, and a 1988 5th round pick (Benoit Lebeau) to the Detroit Red Wings for Glen Hanlon, a 1987 3rd round draft pick (Dennis Holland) & a 1988 third round pick (Guy Dupuis).

Played for the Rangers from the 1986-87 season till the 1990-1991 season. He played 336 games, scored 110 goals, and had 195 assists for 305 points. He was Captain of the Rangers in his last four seasons with the club. He was on the top line with Brian Mullen and John Ogrodnick.

John Vanbiesbrouck

He played 12 seasons for the Rangers. Selected in the 1981 Draft, the Detroit, Michigan native, THE BEEZER, John Vanbiesbrouck, played in the 1981-82 season till the 1992-93 season. He played 449 games, earned 200 wins, 177 losses, and 49 Ties. His career Goals against average was at 3.40, and he won the Vezina Trophy in 1986.

Pierre Larouche

He played five seasons for the Rangers. Signed as a free agent, the Taschereau, Quebec, native played in the 1983-84 season till the 1987-88 season when he retired from hockey due to a terrible back injury and only played ten games in his final season with the Rangers and the NHL. He played 257 games, scoring 123 goals and recording 120 assists for a total of 243 points. He is the only player in NHL history to have scored 45 goals or more with three different teams.

Ted Irvine

He played five seasons for the Rangers. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Ted Irvine was traded to the Rangers from the Los Angeles Kings and sent Real Lemieux and rookie Juha Widing. He played for the Rangers from the middle of the 1970-71 season till the middle of the 1974-75 season, as he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. A member of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals team.

Mike Rogers

He played five seasons for the Rangers. Signed as a free agent, the Calgary, Alberta native played in the 1981-82 season till the middle of the 1985-86 season, where he went to the minors and then was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He played 316 games, scoring 125 goals and recording 191 assists for a total of 216 points. In his first season with the Rangers, he scored over 100 points and became the third Ranger to do it.

Rod Seiling

He played 12 seasons for the Rangers. Traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Andy Bathgate. The Elmira, Ontario native played in the 1963-64 season till the 1974-75 season, then traded to the Washington Capitals. He played 644 games, scored 50 goals, and had 198 assists for 248 points. Was an Assistant Captain for the Rangers and a member of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals team.

Anders Hedberg

He played seven seasons for the Rangers. Signed as a free agent, the Ornskoldsvik, Sweden, native played in the 1978-79 season through the 1984-85 season. He played 465 games, scored 172 goals, and had 225 assists for 397 points. A member of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals Team, and won the Bill Masterton Trophy in the 1984-85 season.

Ulf Nilsson

He played four seasons for the Rangers. Signed as a free agent, the Nynashamn, Sweden, native played from the 1978-79 season to the 1981-82 season. He played 170 games, scored 57 goals, and had 112 assists for 169 points. He came along with Anders Hedberg from the Winnipeg Jets when the team was in the WHA, and was a member of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals Team.

Ron Duguay

He played seven seasons for the Rangers in two separate stints. A First Round Draft pick in the 1977 NHL Draft, the Sudbury, Ontario native played in his first six seasons with the Rangers from the 1977-78 season till the 1982-83 season. Signed with the Detroit Red Wings, traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1985-86 season. The following year was traded back to the Rangers and played in the 1987-88 season and finished in the 1988-89 season.

He played 495 games, scored 164 goals, and had 176 assists for 340 points. He had a 40 goal season in the 1981-82 season and showed his speed and skill against all opponents when he played for the Rangers. He was also a studio analyst for a time at MSG Network, and in Canada, he was a contestant on Battle of the Blades, which mirrors celebrity figure skating like Dancing with the Stars in 2009.

John Davidson

Effectionately known as J.D. John Davidson was traded to the Rangers from the St. Louis Blues to be the backup goaltender to Eddie Giacomin. The Ottawa, Ontario native was then thrown into a hell storm as Giacomin was put on waivers and was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1975-76 season. He, along with the Rangers, were the villains to their own fans at MSG when the Wings came to town and the infamous EDDIE!, EDDIE!, EDDIE!, game happened.

He played eight seasons for the Rangers from the 1975-76 season till his retirement after the 1982-83 season. He played 222 games, 93 wins, 90 losses, and 25 ties. He led the Rangers in goal toward the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals and backstopped that infamous Playoff victory over the New York Islanders to reach the Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Became a broadcast analyst on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, then joined forces with Sam Rosen in the booth for 20 years at MSG Network, and when they showed the Rangers on WWOR Channel 9 in the early years. Returned to become the President of the Rangers for two seasons during the COVID years after two GM stints with the St. Louis Blues and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Steve Vickers

He played all ten seasons with the Rangers, A First Round Draft Pick in the 1971 NHL Draft. The Toronto, Ontario, native began in the 1972-73 season till he finished playing in the 1981-82 season. He played 698 games, scored 246 goals, and had 340 assists for 586 points. A 40 plus goal scorer in the 1974-75 season and a two-time 30 goal scorer for the Rangers. He won the Calder trophy for the top rookie in the 1972-73 season.

Dave Maloney

He played nine seasons for the Rangers, along with his brother Don. He was a First round Pick in the 1974 NHL Draft. The Kitchener, Ontario, native began in the 1974-75 season till he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres in his final season of the NHL in the 184-85 season. He played 605 games, scored 70 goals, and had 225 assists for 295 points.

He was given the Captain’s C on his sweater as the youngest Captain in the history of the New York Rangers, and led the team into that run of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals, where they shocked and defeated the New York Islanders before playing the Montreal Canadiens.

Walt Tkaczuk

He played all 14 seasons with the Rangers. The first player born in Germany to play in the NHL, he originally resided in Emsdetten, North Rhine-Westphalia. His family moved and immigrated to Canada, where they lived in Timmins, Ontario. Signed with the Rangers and began to play in the 1967-68 season till the 1980-81 season. He played 945 games, scored 227 goals, and had 451 assists for 678 points.

He was on both Stanley Cup Final teams in 1972 with Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, and Eddie Giacomin. Then, in 1979, with Phil Esposito, Ron Greschner, Dave Maloney, and John Davidson, he was a member of the Bulldog line with Bill Fairbairn and Dave Balon.

Gilles Villemure

He played 12 seasons with the Rangers. The Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Native began in the 1963-64 season, then was sent to the minors for a few years till he returned to the Rangers in the 1967-68 season. remained with the club till the 1974-75 season. Played 184 games with 98 wins, 53 losses, and 23 ties.

He was the backup goalie for Eddie Giacomin, and both men shared winning the Vezina Trophy in the 1970-71 season. A few years ago, during Vic Hadfield’s banner-raising ceremony, we were informed by Hadfield, Villemure wasn’t well. Thankfully, he was able to make the ceremony on Saturday night.

Ron Greschner

He played all 16 seasons with the Rangers. Taken in the 1974 NHL Draft, the Goodsoil, Saskatchewan, native began in the 1974-75 season and played till the 1989-90 season. He played in 981 games, scoring 179 goals and recording 431 assists for a total of 610 points. Fourth most played in franchise history, second in goals and assists by a Rangers defenseman.

Was a part of the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals team; his game-winning goal against the New York Islanders helped propel the team to reach the final. He was married to former supermodel Carol Alt and made an apperance on the TV show Thunder in Paradise with former WWF/WWE wrestling Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan.

Bill Fairbairn

He played eight seasons with the Rangers. The Brandon, Manitoba, native was signed by the Rangers in 1964. He began his career in the 1969-70 season till he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars in the middle of the 1976-77 season. He played 536 games, scored 138 goals, and had 224 assists for 362 points.

He was given the nickname “Bulldog” for his tenacious play during his junior hockey career, and that nickname carried into the line that was led by Walt Tkaczuk as the center of the Bulldog line. He was a part of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals Team.

Brad Park

He played seven seasons with the Rangers. A First-Round pick in the 1966 NHL Draft, the Toronto, Ontario Native began his career in the 1968-69 season, lasting until he was traded in the 1975-76 season, along with Jean Ratelle, to the Boston Bruins for Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais. He played 465 games, scoring 95 goals and recording 283 assists for a total of 378 points.

Was a member of the 1972 Stanley Cup Finals team. He was the Captain of the Rangers for two seasons. He returned to the Rangers in 2001 to become their pro scout, and kept that position until the 2003-04 season ended.

The locals who played for the Rangers

Nick Fotiu

The Staten Island Native became the first New York City resident to play for his hometown hockey team. He played in seven seasons in two stints with the Rangers. He signed as a free agent for the 1976-77 season and remained till the 1978-79 season. Then signed with the Hartford Whalers, but was traded back to the Rangers in the 1980-81 season and played till the 1984-85 season

He played 455 games, scoring 41 goals and recording 62 assists for a total of 103 points. He was the toughest player the Rangers had at that time. No one wanted to make a mistake with Nicky Fotiu on the ice. He was also on the 1979 Stanley Cup Finals Team.

Brian Mullen

The Hell’s Kitchen Neighborhood New York City Native was traded to the Rangers from the Winnipeg Jets before the 1987-88 season began. He played four seasons till his last one with the Rangers in the 1990-91 season. He played 307 games, scoring 100 goals and recording 148 assists for a total of 248 points. His brother Joe was also in the NHL and was a Stanley Cup Winner with the Calgary Flames and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Others from NYC and the State of New York

Many others from New York City, Long Island, upstate, and Western New York have worn the Broadway Blueshirt like Mathieu Schnedier in Manhattan, Guy Hebert from Troy, NY, Mike Dunham of Johnson City, NY, and currently on the roster is Adam Fox from Jericho, NY, out on Long Island. A total of 26 players from the city and the State of New York have called Madison Square Garden home.

HONORABLE MENTION: Bronx, NY, native Rob Kenny was in the Rangers organization between 1992 through 1995 when their American Hockey League affiliate was in Binghamton, NY, as the Binghamton Rangers before they were moved to Hartford, Connecticut, now known as the Wolf Pack. Sadly, Kenny passed away untimely in 2010.

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