5 random players you forgot were on the New York Rangers
By Al Daniel
1. Howie Morenz
A three-time Hart Trophy winner with the Montreal Canadiens, Morenz might have made his most marked impact on the Rangers long before his stint with them.
The first player dubbed “the Babe Ruth of Hockey,” Morenz made his instant on-ice influence clear through back-to-back Stanley Cup titles in his first two seasons (1923-24 and 1924-25). Beyond the scoreboard, his spectacle instilled a craving for NHL action in other markets.
As Stephen Smith wrote in the New York Times in 2017, “The sight of Morenz in motion is said to have persuaded the boxing promoter Tex Rickard to start up the New York Rangers.” Rickard also reportedly wanted Morenz and Montreal as the opening night opponent in 1926.
While Morenz remained a Hab through 1934, the franchise he reportedly inspired was almost as swift in its early success. The Rangers won their first Cup in 1928, then almost reached a third consecutive final before losing to none other than the Canadiens in the 1930 semifinals.
The Manhattanites bounced back to beat Morenz’s Montrealers in two more playoff meetings, including en route to their second title in 1933. That said, the Stratford Streak had four Cups to his credit versus Rickard and company’s two when he left the Habs for Chicago in 1934.
After a year and a half as a Blackhawk, Morenz went to the Rangers midway through the 1935-36 season. But he could not stay long enough to leave a direct mark at Madison Square Garden.
In the summer of 1936, the Canadiens took Morenz back after his uneventful tenure (19 games, two goals, five assists) with a lowly Rangers team.
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