10 greatest New York Rangers in franchise history
Center. Guelph Biltmores. Jean Ratelle. 4. player. 95.
It’s flat-out embarrassing Jean Ratelle had to wait over 20 years to have his number retired by the New York Rangers. Luckily, the number 19 was recently raised to the Madison Square Garden rafters. In all of their history, the Rangers have never had a player as graceful and classy as Ratelle, the epitome of class.
He’s a very nice guy, but he was an even better hockey player. Ratelle had one of the best seasons ever by a Ranger in 1971-72. During that season, he posted 46 goals, 63 assists, and 109 points in just 63 games. Ratelle got his first (and only) All-Star appearance (second-team), won the Lady Byng Trophy, and was voted by his peers as the most outstanding player. He finished in fourth place in the Hart Trophy voting as well.
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Ratelle ranks sixth in Rangers history in games played (861). Additionally, he ranks second in goals (336), third in assists (481), and third in points (817). Ratelle played for the Rangers from 1960 to 1976 before he was involved in the Park trade that brought Esposito to New York.
He continued his success in Boston, but deep down, Ratelle’s blood is as blue as it gets. Ratelle was basically a modern-day Frank Boucher. His 16 seasons as a Ranger is tied for fourth.