“
Pucks on Pages” is back — New York Rangers style.
Two months ago, Blue Line Station published “Pucks on Pages” highlighting several hockey books worth reading during the NHL’s pause. Some were about the New York Rangers, others covered teams, players, and reporters from around the NHL. The response was favorable and several readers offered their own suggestions.
Thus, Blue Line Station is bringing back “Pucks on Pages.” This time, we’ll look at one Rangers book every week leading up to the qualifying round of the playoffs, which are scheduled to start sometime in August and include the Blueshirts, who will play the Carolina Hurricanes in a best-of-five bout.
The Rangers books featured in “Pucks on Pages” are my personal favorites. I have no affiliation with any of the authors — I simply enjoy their writing. I hope you all find “Pucks on Pages” to be helpful. Maybe there’s a book you didn’t know about. Perhaps there’s one you’ve read and enjoyed and could pass on to other fans.
As always, feel free to offer your suggestions in the comments section.
The first book we’ll look at in “Pucks on Pages” was written by “The Hockey Maven,” Stan Fischler.
The native New Yorker has covered hockey for more than 60 years. He has co-authored more than 90 hockey books, written for numerous publications (including The Hockey News, Hockey Digest, Sports Illustrated, and Newsweek, among others). He’s also won seven Emmy’s for his work as a hockey analyst for SportsChannel New York and MSG Network.
In short, Fischler has forgotten more hockey than others know. This guy most definitely included.
Among his many books, here is one of my favorites.
We are the Rangers – The Oral History of the New York Rangers
Publisher/Year: Triumph Books, 2013
How to get a copy: https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Rangers-Oral-History-ebook/dp/B00F8JIH1M
Synopsis: If you’re looking for a book that captures the history of the New York Rangers, look no further than this fantastic 223-page collection of Fischler’s memories and interviews. The book is perfect for fans of all ages, capturing the team’s three Stanley Cup championships in the early days to the heroics of Mike Richter, Brian Leetch, and Mark Messier.
Preceded by a forward from Hall of Famer Rod Gilbert, Fischler combines his encyclopedic knowledge, humor, and personal stories. There are accounts from Gilbert, Messier, Leetch, and insights from reporters from other markets, as well as fun stories like that of Myles J. Lane, who played 24 games for the Blueshirts and 47 more for the Boston Bruins before calling it a career and going on to serve as a judge for the New York State Supreme Court.
- The Early Days (Frank Boucher, Myles J. Lane, Tom Lockhart, Gerry Cosby, Babe Pratt, and Bill “The Big Whistle” Chadwick)
- The Post-World War II Years (Chuck Rayner, Camille Henry, Cal Gardner, Jack McCartan, Max Bentley, and Andy Bathgate)
- The Boys of Expansion (Glenn Healy, Alex Kovalev, Brian Leetch, James Patrick)
- The All-Time Most Popular Rangers (Gilbert, Messier, Wally Stanowski)
- The Present (Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan)
- The Making of a Fan (How I became a Rangers fan – two oral histories)
Quotable: “When Mark (Messier) turned and shot the puck, it hit me that he was going to get a hat trick. He was going to get the game-winner and a hat trick and he called the game. I could see history just sliding right down the ice.” — Rangers goalie Mike Richter on Game Six of the 1994 Conference Finals versus the New Jersey Devils.
“I thought, that’s a little tough for him (Messier) to go out and say that (guarantee victory). …When I was on the bench and I saw him shoot for the open net I said, ‘Oh my god.’ It’s the best story you could ever write, and he did it.” — Devils goalie Martin Brodeur after watching Messier complete his third-period hat trick with an empty-netter.
Let’s hear from you
Have you already read this book? Did you like it? Why? Is there a particular section you enjoyed? An anecdote or two that made you chuckle? Please drop us a line below!