The voices of New York Rangers hockey could return to live-action soon. Until then, why not read about them?
Barring a significant spike in COVID-19 cases among any of the 24 clubs training for the upcoming NHL playoffs, the New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes will play the first game of their best-of-five qualifying round at Noon on Aug. 1 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
While a major outbreak of the virus would almost certainly squash the NHL’s plan to close 2019-20 with a postseason tournament, it appears the league has done its diligence to ensure the safety of those heading to the hub cities of Toronto and Edmonton.
Should play indeed resume, Rangers fans once again will be treated to some of the familiar voices of MSG Network and ESPN Radio (broadcast teams haven’t been officially announced). Which brings us to the third book in Blue Line Station‘s “Pucks on Pages” series.
Unforgettable Rangers: Games & Moments from the Press Box
Publisher/Year: Matthew Blittner, 2019
How to get a copy: https://www.amazon.com/UNFORGETTABLE-RANGERS-GAMES-MOMENTS-PRESS/dp/0578443260
Synopsis: Want to know the background of your favorite Rangers print, television, players, and radio personalities? Then this is the book for you.
Blittner devotes one section apiece to Kenny Albert, Rick Carpiniello, John Davidson, Stan Fischler, John Giannone, Allan Kreda, Don La Greca, Dave Maloney, Joe Micheletti, Pat O’Keefe, Howie Rose, and, of course, San Rosen.
Each personality shares his most “unforgettable” Rangers game and moment.
Who said “you can’t come home again!” John Davidson is back as Team President exactly 25 years after the @NYRangers hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup! This is JD, Sam Rosen and me at City Hall at the Rangers Victory Parade for @MSGNetworks in 1994! A classic photo! pic.twitter.com/7SLOC90kx9
— Bruce Beck (@BruceBeck4NY) May 22, 2019
Also included throughout are insights from writers Larry Brooks, John Dellapina, and Dan Rosen; broadcasters Al Trautwig and Sal “Red Light” Messina; and former Rangers Derek Stepan, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, and Jeff Beukeboom.
The book concludes with a neat “Message to Rangers fans” from each personality.
Quotable
“Seeing Dennis Potvin crumpled along the boards with his head up against the boards and Mike Bossy and (Bryan) Trottier, just devastated while the (Garden) just exploded — that’s my snapshot.” — Rick Carpiniello on the Rangers’ upset of the first-place New York Islanders in the 1979 Stanley Cup Semifinals.
“(Mike) Richter won the series for (the Rangers) in Game Six. The Devils should have been up 4-0, 5-0; they dominated the first 36, 37 minutes of the games. And after it got to 2-0, (the Devils) had six or seven glorious chances.” — Larry Brooks on Rangers’ goalie Mike Richter’s season-saving heroics in the 1994 Conference Finals versus the New Jersey Devils.
“First off, that’s exactly what it felt like, a cruel and unusual form of punishment. It was a dagger to the heart when (Valeri) Zelepukin scored.” — Howie Rose on Zelepukin’s game-tying goal with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation of Game Seven of the 1994 Conference Finals.
“I showed up for the first game with (legendary St. Louis Blues broadcaster) Dan Kelly and I hadn’t had an opportunity to talk about the business; I showed up and didn’t even have a pencil on me. I didn’t know the first thing about what (broadcasting) took and how to prepare. Anyway, Dan almost fired me halfway through the first period because I interrupted him, which is a bad thing to do. He told me he was going to fire me if I ever did that again.” — Joe Micheletti on his first Blues’ broadcast with the late Dan Kelly, a Foster Hewitt Award recipient for outstanding contributions to hockey as a broadcaster.
Let’s hear from you
This is the third piece of the series. Previously, we presented We are the Rangers by Stan Fischler and The Rangers by Brian McFarlane.
Already read these books? Have a title you’d like to see featured in “Pucks on Pages”? Please drop us a line below!