Dec 5, 2018
A nostalgic look back at our favorite Hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960s, 70's and 80's.
In this Bonus episode, we look back at Vic Hadfield night at MSG this past Sunday, December 2nd, 2018. During this historic, entertaining and sentimental ceremony the New York Rangers added the former captain and left winger for the famous GAG line to the list of former Rangers greats to have their number retired and lifted to the Garden rafters. The great number 11 has now joined fellow linemates Rod Gilbert, and Jean Ratelle in having his number retired and all three members of the Greatest scoring line in Rangers history will have their uniform numbers hanging side by side atop the rafters at MSG.
* Only the 10th Ranger to have his jersey retired joining:
#1 Eddie Giacomin
#2 Brian Leetch
#3 Harry Howell
#7 Rod Gilbert
#9 Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves
#11 Mark Messier and Vic Hadfield
#35 Mike Richter
* Eloquent and heartfelt speeches by former GAG linemates Jean
Ratelle and Rod Gilbert as well as former Coach and GM Emile
Francis.
* Former teammates who attended to support and honor Hadfield were
Bob Nevin, Eddie Giacomin, Pete Stemkowski, Bruce McGregor, Teddy
Irvine, "The Chief" Jim Nielsen, Members of the "BullDog" Line
Steve Vickers, Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbairn. As usual, the
loudest ovation was for Hall of Famer Brad Park
* Also attending was Ron Greshner and other Rangers greats Mark
Messier, Adam Graves, Brian Leetch, and Mike Richter.
* I would have liked to have seen the ceremony take place during
a scheduled game with an original six club such as the Boston
Bruins or Chicago BlackHawks.
* A briefer Ceremony should have and could have taken place at the
scheduled Face-off time so most if not all of the fans would be
seated while and bringing energy, enthusiasm, importance and
respect to Vic Hadfield and all of the other Ranger greats in
attendance on this historic evening in Rangers history.
* Fellow teammate and Rangers President Glen Sather along with
Current GM Jeff Gorton should also have been at ice level
participating in the ceremony.
* Finally thus far it has been a Ranger's travesty not to have Hall of Famer Brad Parks number 2 retired at this time. Hopefully, Rangers Management will do the right thing and make this happen in the very near future.