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Bring Back The New York Rangers Liberty Jersey

By Patrick Comia

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The once famous alternate jersey from the 90’s has become near extinct to the everyday Rangers fan, it’s time to make a comeback

Currently, the New York Rangers have five jerseys to wear on game days:

– Traditional Home (blue)
– Traditional Away (white)
– Heritage Home (blue)
– Winter Classic Away (cream-color white)
– Stadium Series Away (white)

The design of the first two jerseys have been around since 1926. Variations have been made since then, but the heart of the logo has still remained.

Heritage Home Jersey

My personal favorite is the Heritage Home jersey, introduced during the Rangers 85th anniversary season in 2011. This was a sought-after jersey because of it’s uniqueness. Not only did it have a sewn patch on the right shoulder commemorating the historical event in the franchise’s history, but it paid homage to the Rangers past: the numbers of retired players sewn into the inside of the jerseys. These made them one of a kind.

New York Rangers
New York Rangers /

New York Rangers

Winter Classic Jersey

The Winter Classic Away jersey debut during the 2012-2013 season. It was the uniform the team wore in the NHL’s Winter Classic game against the Philadelphia Flyers that year. A white cream-color with an old-time Rangers crest on the front made this uniform a collectible for the Rangers fan cause of what it represented: the first-time the team played outdoors and won against one of their rivals. Who could forget Mike Rupp‘s two-goal performance, including a Jagr-salute to Jaromir Jagr (was it is a mock or paying respect?).

Stadium Series

Then, there is the Stadium Series jersey, introduced last season. This jersey was used during two games against the New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils at Yankee Stadium. This put a modern spin on the traditional Rangers design. On the front, the words “New York” replaced the traditional team logo. The lettering and numbering got an update, as well. It included two patches on either shoulder: the team crest and a Stadium Series patch. These uniforms have been seldom used, since then. However, it does have sentimental value for Rangers fans. It represents a sweep of the tri-city teams that year: the Islanders and Devils. And for some reason, it was an away game even though new Yankees Stadium was closer to Madison Square Garden than the other two (shrugging shoulders).

Lady Statue of Liberty Alternate Jersey

However, there is one uniform design that the organization should re-introduce. A look that can still be used by the players and still catch the eye of Rangers fans. That design is the Statue of Liberty jerseys. If you are unfamiliar, it is a jersey that sports the iconic New York monument’s head on the front of the jersey with the letters ‘NYR’. It has two futuristic-team patches on either shoulder. There’s no tie-down in the front and came in blue and white versions.

These are hard to find jerseys, even on the internet. Consider yourself lucky to own one. Rarely do they pop up for sale. If you do see one, it’s normally on a picture of a player during that era or from a Rangers die-hard fan.

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The uniform represented a transition from the past to the present Rangers team. Players to have worn the jersey include Rangers greats: Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, Wayne Gretzky, and Jagr to name a few.

Perhaps, the most iconic moment for the jersey was a game against the Washington Capitals in November, 2005. The two teams had to settle the score in a 15-round shootout. The eventual winner would be the Rangers, but it was known for who won it for them. Defenseman Marek Malik scored an iconic goal on then-Capitals goalie Olie Kolzig that is regarded as one of the NHL’s best moves in a shootout. And, it just so happen to be in the Alternate Statue of Liberty jersey.

If you are unfamiliar, it is a jersey that sports the iconic New York monument’s head on the front of the jersey with the letters ‘NYR’. It has two futuristic-team patches on either shoulder. There’s no tie-down in the front and came in blue and white versions…These are hard to find jerseys, even on the internet. Consider yourself lucky to own one.

I did mention it helped linked the past to the present. It was the uniform donned by present goal keeper Henrik Lundqvist, as part of his rookie year in 2005. Former Rangers captain Ryan Callahan wore the alternate jersey, but as number 43.

Unfortunately, the Rangers have not been seen wearing the jersey since the 2006-2007 season. The reason for the ‘missing’ jersey is unknown. Perhaps, a certain manufacturer played a apart in the jersey’s disappearance.

In a article posted on thehockeynews.com, the Alternate Lady design was ranked number one to bring back to the NHL uniforms. The same article further commented:

"“Of all the jerseys born out of the ‘90s, the New York Rangers alternate sweater that featured the Statue of Liberty is by far the best…(it) perished when the NHL changed over to Reebok jerseys in 2007 and, aesthetically, it’s one of the league’s greatest losses.”- Jared Clinton, February, 2015"

The alternate jersey could be considered a rare breed. Popping it’s head out on the backs of Rangers fans saying hi at games. It’s like seeing the rarest of species, but in Rangers lore.

As with many other fans and writers, I hope to see this design resurfaces on the chests of Rangers players, on a game day, at Madison Square Garden.

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