Have you ever had a memorable experience meeting a Ranger player? Blueshirt Bulletin thought it would be a cool feature – to hear from Ranger fans about their personal encounters with Rangers. To start the feature off, here’s mine:

After college, I played on a street hockey team in leagues at SportoRama and South Mountain Arena. One weekend in about 1990 they were having a tournament and I had heard somehow George McPhee lived in Edgewater, NJ so I looked him up in the phone book and, sure enough, his number was listed. When I called and asked if he’d be into playing in a street hockey tourney, he actually agreed to play! I also knew Gary Howatt operated a golf course in Randolph, NJ and sure enough, he accepted to play too. McPhee and Howatt, two hockey tough guys on the same team, how could we lose? Well, we didn’t fare too well, the tourney hosted some of the best teams in North America, we were just a group of ham and eggers, with two former professional stars. We won our first game by default (I can’t remember why) then went up 2-0 but lost I think it was 6-2. McPhee and Howatt were super cool about it the fiasco. One of the things I remember is quipping to him something like, Too bad Jay Caulfield jumped third man in during his famous fight with Dave Brown when he was more than holding his own. I always remember McPhee’s quick reply: “I’d take him on my team any time.” Another thing that happened that game during a scramble at net, an unruly opponent actually pushed McPhee into the net crossbar, moving the net, and the former Hobey Baker Award winner had some very forceful words for the hooligan who backed away sheepishly. Howatt also got somewhat roughed up too, into the boards, by some pony-tailed goon and the former Islander gladiator actually carved the guy’s face up with one flick of his stickblade and re-arranged his nose, sending him to the hospital. Though this encounter went kind of bad, as this tournament was much more competitive than I ever expected, and that was the last time I ever spoke with McPhee or Howatt. But still it was a massive thrill for a fresh out of college kid to meet and play hockey with them.

Here’s more Memorable Ranger encounters:

Fred Moreno, Woodside:  “Eddie Giacomin was doing a card show four years ago in Syosset. I was fortunate to drag my daughter along with me. A snowstorm started, Eddie showed up like an hour later. The turnout was very slow because of the snowstorm. I managed to get the chance to speak with Eddie for about three hours, one-on-one, and let me ask
anything. So it was like a childhood fantasy, to be able to talk with my childhood idol. Because he was the ultimate guy. The Rangers broke my heart when they traded him. He felt the same way, he told me he almost committed suicide, in fact, it’s documented in his book. So I understood how he felt, that’s the way his fans felt. Spending those three hours with him was way beyond my expectations. Childhood memories bring up certain memories you remember as a kid, and he was shocked that I remembered specific things, that he did in Montreal, certain games. Like when he stopped a penalty shot by Yvon Cournoyer. Cournoyer used to go to the left, to the stickside. And Eddie said No, he’s gonna go to the right. And he stopped him. And it’s a known fact – I checked the tape – it was to the right. It’s just unbelievable where you as a kid, remember certain things and then you get to meet the guys. I guess they appreciate it. Even though he didn’t win the Stanley Cup, he’s still the #1 Ranger I’ve ever seen play. True heart. Always left it all on the ice, he always goes 110% for the fans. Never forget that three hours spending with Eddie Giacomin. Never forget it.”

Steve Kaiser, Brooklyn:  “I met Mr. Graves who’s been my favorite player since I was about ten, at a showing of the Rangers-Devils game last year’s playoffs at the Ziegfeld. Got to shake his hand and then I told him, You’re my favorite player since I was ten. And he was embarrassed to be that old [smiles]. It was one of the best days of my life. (Why is he your favorite Ranger?) Same reason he’s everyone’s favorite player. He’s just an amazing guy, stand-up guy who played his hardest his entire career. And really symbolizes, I think, what the Rangers are all about.”

Steve Roberg, Washington Heights:  “Years ago I met Rod Gilbert at Yonkers Raceway when I was 19 or 20. And my friends had to push me to like say hello. It was great. When he had his Night on March 9th – that was my 25th birthday. And the button that I got, got lost in the sixth game of the double-overtime Devils game. I wore it that night – but sacrifices must be made [smiles]. But that was memorable.”

Dominic Cognata, Manhattan:  “I was at a Devils game at Prudential Center, next to the bench, right on the glass. As Aaron Voros and Drury were walking off the ice, I got to shake their hands and Voros slipped me a puck for my son. And also during the game – the Rangers killed them that game – I remember I jumped up and dropped my phone and it fell underneath the bench. One of the trainers (Jim Beets Johnson) had to take Valiquette’s stick to scoop it out because there was like no way of grabbing it.”

George Pavliv, Lakewood, NJ:  “My first playoff game, game 4 vs. Washington. Got of the train and went to buy my jersey (#31) and we see Chris Drury is by the front doot signing autographs for everybody. So that was the first time I saw a hockey player in street clothes actually. It was surprising. Thought they’d take the back door into the Garden. But he was walking through the front glass doors, and all the sudden the fans noticed him and started getting his autograph. He honored quite a few of those people. By the time I got my jersey he was already gone. But I was thinking about going up there like a little kid myself [smiles]. It was a good thrill. I literally walked off the train, my first mission was get my jersey and there I see the team captain standing there by the front door.”

Stella, Manhattan:  “A million years ago, Steve Vickers bought me a drink. At the bar around the corner here on 32nd St. After a game a long, long time ago. Don Maloney was with him but Steve Vickers was the one that bought us drinks.”

Dave Dror, Brooklyn:  “Mark Messier came to my Bar Mitzvah seven years ago (at MSG). It was really nice. A lot of money but it was worth it [smiles]. And we hung out, all my friends. And then we got to skate on the ice. (Standout memories?) Just shooting around with Mark, it was crazy [smiles].”

Steve Megna, Briarcliff:  “I met Jagr at the Mercedes dealership I work at in White Plains. He came in to buy a car. It was right after the Rangers let him go. He got a coffee and I just went up, said hello and shook his hand. And he was super nice, like maybe the nicest athlete I’ve met. He said, I’d love to play in New York, I really had a good time playing here, I wish I could come back. But sometimes things don’t work out that way. Really a cool guy. I heard that he’s like kinda stiffm, he’s shy. He was super nice, just a normal guy talking like we are.”

Paul Hamel, Staten Island:  “I met Jagr at Nassau Coliseum Marriott after the game. At the bar. He was a rookie with the Penguins, I think he was 18. I wasn’t supposed to be at the bar either, I was 16. I brought a card of him with me and asked for his autograph. He was sitting at the bar and had two security guards next to him. When I approached him one of the security guards actually grabbed me and said, Leave him alone. And Jagr said, Sit down, I’ll buy you a drink. And he bought me a seltzer or a soda. And he signed. He didn’t speak too much English at the time but he was cool. I hung out with him for like two hours.”

Raffaele Vanatore, Ridgefield, NJ:  “About three years ago I ran into Orr, Ortmeyer, Hollweg, Hossa and Prucha at a club in the Village – One. They were there just having a drink, with their girlfriend, I went up to them just to say hello. They were nice and cordial, they said hello but I didn’t want to bother them. They just played Washington that night, I remember Orr got in a fight with Brashear. I told him he did a good job.”

Pete Halva, Hameenlinna, Finland:  “This is my first time to see an NHL game ever. I’m a hockey referee in Finland, semi-professional league. This is my second time in New York and first time in Garden to watch the game, ever. I refereed Lauri Korpikoski in the highest junior league when he was there. I’ve always liked hockey. I bought this shirt (blue mesh Rangers jersey, with no #) about 15 years ago in Estonia.”

Amie Edwards, Howell, NJ:  “I met Ron Duguay in the NHL store. He was kinda hangin’ out, just getting ready for the big game (vs. Washington). I went to pick up my husband’s jersey (#91) and there he was. Standing there. I was very shocked. I have not seen him in person. To see. To see him live…(husband interjects, Tell him what you told him) [Laughter]. That the 70’s were dead! And Studio 54 is closed. And he needs a new stylist. He dresses like he’s from the 70’s. With the big lapels and the whole nine yards. He just looked at me. He’s a Ranger legend.”

Drew Rizzo, Jackson, NJ:  “Last year we met Jagr, Shanahan and Valiquette right at the employee’s exit after game four against the Devils. At around midnight. We talked with Valiquette and Shanahan but Jagr made a bee line with some hot, hot woman. If I was him I might have been running too [laughs].”