A sold out 2025 Shoulder Check Showcase is all wrapped up.
The third annual event for a good cause took place on Thursday, July 24th. The event promotes the initiative to inspire young people to commit to supporting one another through small acts that will have a big impact. It was created in order to show individuals that ‘being there’ is as simple as a hand on a shoulder. This year, four New York Rangers participated in the event.
As previously written, netminder Jonathan Quick served as a coach for "Team Quick" alongside Montreal Canadiens' Marty St. Louis. Matt Rempe and Brett Berard were forwards on Quick's team, in addition to Adam Fox who participared on the defensive side.
But, there was one other key player on the ice for the Rangers franchise.
Chris Kreider's 2025 Shoulder Check Showcase
Former Blueshirt Chris Kreider — who was traded away by President and General Manager and Chris Drury on June 12th — was on the opposing side of the ice with "Team Prentiss" as he represented his new franchise of the Anaheim Ducks.
It’s almost Shoulder Check Showcase time aka my favorite part of the summer 🤩
— jayd¹³ (@jaayddd) July 15, 2025
Which team are you rooting for this year? pic.twitter.com/zGsqQRU8qx
However, a lot of Kreider's event was highlighted by his interactions surrounding his remaining ties with the Blueshirt community; it has since been detailed on social media that he still witnesses a lot of gratitude from Rangers fans.
"Lot of kindness, lot of appreciation, lot of gratitude. That goes both ways. Super lucky to have experienced what I experienced, something that’s always going to be near and dear to me and a massive part of that is obviously the fan base. That’s what makes the Rangers so special, right?"Chris Kreider, via Mollie Walker
Rempe and Kreider have also been training together this offseason via the Prentiss Academy. While working out together, the former longest tenured veteran on the Rangers' roster has obviously been repping new Anaheim gear.
While at Shoulder Check 2025, the media specifically asked Rempe on what it was like to see Kreider in his new threads.
"It’s definitely different. I’m going to miss him a lot. He’s a great mentor, teammate to me, but still I see him every day at the gym. It’s good to see him."Matt Rempe, via Peter Baugh
Matt Rempe, speaking before the Shoulder Check game, on what it’s like seeing Chris Kreider in Ducks gear around the gym: “It’s definitely different. I’m going to miss him a lot. He’s a great mentor, teammate to me, but still I see him every day at the gym. It’s good to see him.”
— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) July 24, 2025
So while the 2025 Shoulder Check Showcase may have come and gone in addition to Kreider's time as a Ranger, it appears the 582 point holder and Massachusetts native will always remain significant to the Blueshirt community.