New York Rangers and the Hockey Hall of Fame

Howie Morenz

Career: 550 games, 257 goals, 205 assists, 476 points

As a Ranger: 18 games, 2 goals, 5 assists, 7 points

Morenz was 33 when he was traded to New York by the Chicago Blackhawks in January 1936. The center played 460 games for the Montreal Canadiens, notching 257 goals and 421 points. He also had 13 markers and 22 points in 37 playoff matches with Montreal, helping the Canadiens win three Stanley Cups.

Terry Sawchuk

Career: 971 games, 445 wins, 2.50 goals-against average, .907 save percentage

As a Ranger: 8 games, 3 wins, 2.91 GAA, .893 SP, 1 shutout

The four-time Vezina Trophy winner backstopped three Stanley Cup wins for the Detroit Red Wings, and another for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He came to the Rangers from Detroit in a June 1969 trade at age 39. He recorded his 103rd career shutout as a Blueshirt making 29 saves in a 6-0 win over Pittsburgh on Feb. 1, 1970, at Madison Square Garden. Only Martin Brodeur has more career shutouts than Sawchuk, who died at age 40 on May 31, 1970, from internal injuries sustained during a scuffle with teammate (and housemate) Ron Stewart.

Bernie Geoffrion

Career: 883 games, 393 goals, 429 assists, 822 points

As a Ranger: 117 games, 22 goals, 41 assists, 63 points

The right-winger was 35 when claimed on waivers by New York in June 1966. The two-time Art Ross Trophy winner helped Montreal win six Stanley Cups and earned the Hart Trophy in 1961. Nicknamed “Boom Boom” for his booming slap shot he also coached the Blueshirts for 43 games, resigning due to an ulcer.

Doug Harvey

Career: 1,113 games, 88 goals, 452 assists, 540 points, 1,225 penalty minutes

As a Ranger: 151 games, 22 goals, 41 assists, 63 points

The seven-time Norris Trophy winner helped Montreal win six Stanley Cups. He was 37 when traded to New York for Lou Fontinato in June 1961, but won his final Norris in his first season with the Rangers after posting 30 points (24 assists).

Johnny Bower

Career: 552 games, 250 wins, 2.51 GAA, .922 SP, 37 shutouts

As a Ranger: 77 games, 31 wins, 2.56 GAA, .882 SP, 5 shutouts

Bower was 29 when he was named the Rangers starting goalie in 1953-54. He played in all 70 games that season and recorded 29 victories. The following season he was beaten out by Gump Worsley and sent to the minors, where he spent much of the next four seasons. Claimed by Toronto in the 1958 Interleague Draft, Bower went on to win four Stanley Cups and two Vezinas with the Leafs.

Tim Horton

Career: 1,145 games, 115 goals, 403 assists, 518 points, 1,611 PIMs

As a Ranger: 93 games, 3 goals, 23 assists, 26 points, 73 PIMs

The six-time all-star defenseman helped Toronto win four Stanley Cups. He was 40 when traded to New York in March 1970 and played two seasons on Broadway before finishing his career with Pittsburgh and the Buffalo Sabres. Horton opened his first Tim Hortons Doughnut Shop in 1964 in Hamilton, Ontario (the franchise has since expanded throughout Canada and parts of the United States). He died on Feb. 21, 1974, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was 44.

Jacques Plante

Career: 837 games, 437 wins, 2.38 GAA, .920 SP, 82 shutouts

As a Ranger: 98 games, 32 wins, 3.38 GAA, .908 SP, 5 shutouts

The seven-time all-star won six Stanley Cups and six Vezinas with Montreal, and another Vezina with the St. Louis Blues after playing in New York for two seasons (at ages 35 and 36). Although it took just eight playoff wins to clinch the Cup during his time, his leading the Canadiens to five straight Cups (between 1956 and 1960) remains the NHL’s benchmark. During that span, he led all playoff goalies in goals-against average five times, save percentage four times and shutouts three times.

Bobby Hull

Career: 1,063 games, 610 goals, 560 assists, 1,170 points

As a Ranger: Had exhibition stints in 1959 and 1981

Rangers head coach Herb Brooks suggested “The Golden Jet” make one last attempt in the NHL. So, in September 1981, at age 42, Hull was temporarily reunited with his former Winnipeg Jets teammates Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson. Hull had a goal and an assist in five exhibition games but ultimately decided against returning and never played a regular-season match for the Rangers, who nonetheless included him on their HOF list.