New York Rangers: Top 20 Goal-Scorers in Franchise History
Jan 23, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the ice rink prior to the game between the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
9. Steve Vickers
Drafted with the 10th overall pick in the 1971 Amateur Draft, Vickers made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1972-73, netting 30 goals in 61 games to capture the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie that year.
Over the course of his decade-long NHL career, Vickers along with linemates Walt Tkaczuk and Bill Fairbairn would make up one of the NHL’s best two-way lines with Vickers leading the way. He would follow up his sterling rookie campaign with seasons of 34, 41 and 30 goals. His 41-goal, 89-point effort in 1974-75 would be the best of his career earning him an All-NHL Second Team nod.
Vickers would remain an effective two-way forward following his fourth straight 30-goal season, but his production began to decline sharply. He would manage just two seasons of 20 or more goals over the next five, hitting 29 in 1979-80 before eventually being relegated to the Springfield Falcons of the AHL two seasons later.
Vickers might not have been as flashy a scorer as fellow Ranger great Rod Gilbert and the GAG line, but he was quietly productive and a very good two-way player. His contributions to the Rangers were evident both on the score sheet and in the much smaller aspects as well.
Next: #8 Mark Messier