The Newest Rangers’ Voice on Blue Line Station
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Good day, Fellow Blueshirts fans. My name is Patrick Comia; and, I will be joining Blue Line Station as a contributor. You may know me as my twitter name, McD Trucking Inc., (@XXRangers4Life). I will strive to provide you with honest and relatable articles.
Who am I, you ask.
I’m 36 years old and originally from Florida. I currently live in Ewa Beach, Hawaii with my wife of 7 years and 2 basset hounds. Candace, my wife, is active duty Navy and I am former United States Marine Corps. Needless to say, the military is in our blood. I am an avid golfer (nowhere near scratch), diver, PS3 junkie (NHL14), and trying to pick up guitar.
You could say I am new to Rangers Nation. I never followed hockey while growing up. I was always a football, basketball, and baseball kind of kid. In 1986, my father got me into NY sports by liking the New York Giants/Mets. That year was magical, if you were a fan of both. After, I tried to keep up with New York sports. I guess you could say I was a “fair-weather” fan, only liking a team if they were good. For some odd reason, I found my way to hockey. It started in 1991, when a certain someone came to Broadway and made Rangers hockey relevant to me. I had heard of Mark Messier from his days in Edmonton. Those great years with Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, Grant Fuhr, Bill Ranford, etc., caused me to take notice of his arrival. Honestly, I did not follow the Rangers as diehard, as some fans. To those diehard Rangers fans, I applaud and respect your loyalty to the team, which I hope fosters in me. I remember 1994. ESPN was showing NHL games at that time. I was able to watch the Rangers Stanley Cup run from the Islanders to the Canucks. I can only imagine what it must have been like to be in New York during that time. After 1994, I wavered away from hockey again due to obligations with college, military, growing up. 12 years later, I was channel surfing and saw the Rangers playing. For poops and giggles, I watched. I fell in love with the colors again, those Statue of Liberty jerseys, the New York Rangers. It was then, I wanted to hold onto this. I became obsessed with the team. So much so, I bought my second jersey, the Statue of Liberty alternate blue. My first one was a Starter White Home jersey. To this day, I can’t believe I threw it out cause of a red stain. Not sure if it was ketchup or blood. Needless to say, it’s gone and forever haunts me.
I don’t have a favorite Rangers player. I believe in team effort. You look out for one another. You win as a team, die as a team. That’s the military-side of me. But of the current Rangers, whom would I pick, I’d say it was a toss-up between Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan McDonagh. Of all-time, from the players I have seen, Mike Richter. I admire these gentlemen because they give, or have given, their heart and soul in every game they have played; in my opinion.
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
By joining Blue Line Station, I want to share my thoughts, feelings, and enthusiasm with fellow Rangers’ fans, like you. Sometimes it can be borderline insane. But if you love something so much why bottle it up? Also, I would like to know the NHL better by researching teams, players, and coaches. The best way to defeat your enemy is to know your enemy. 7 years ago, if you were to ask me who Sydney Crosby was, I’d answer, “Uhm , an actor?” Now, not only do I know him, I despise him. If you follow me on Twitter, you know my viewpoints of certain teams and players, especially rivals. LOL
Let me end this by saying thank you for the opportunity. If there is anything you would like to share with me, please do not hesitate. I’ll probably be on Twitter, somewhere. Drop me a line, anytime.