10 greatest New York Rangers in franchise history
Forward. Guelph Biltmores. Andy Bathgate. 6. player. 95.
Andy Bathgate is one of the four New York Rangers in history to win the Hart Trophy. Of those to win it, he’s one of the two to spend a substantial amount of time in The Big Apple. The other is on this list a bit later.
In 1959, Bathgate won the Hart Trophy after finishing third in the league in goals (40) and points (88). The Rangers only scored 201 goals that season, so he was a part of over 40 percent of their goals that season.
Andy Bathgate is one of the four New York Rangers in history to win the Hart Trophy.
Bathgate nearly won the Art Ross as well, tying for the league lead in points in 1962 with 84. However, Bobby Hull got the award on a technicality because he had more goals than Bathgate. During his Rangers career, he was named to four All-Star teams (two first-team appearances and two second-team appearances).
He was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978 as a player. Bathgate coached in the WHA for the Vancouver Blazers in 1973-74. His number nine wasn’t retired by the Rangers until 2009. Bathgate also indirectly played a significant role in NHL history. He shot a puck that hit Montreal Canadiens legend Jacques Plante in the face. The next game, he wore a mask. That’s how the goalie mask was born.