Ranger Fans?

[marrymejeter]

I'm having a hard time getting into hockey season. I gues it's just baseball withdrawal....or the fact that other than Leetch (my fav), Richter and Messier (so glad he's back), I don't know who the hell these Rangers are?

Can anyone help me?

[orangemom]

I sure wish I could, but I don't recognize these guys either. Where did they come from? At least they appear to be fairly young, which is a step in the right direction. For the last couple years this team looked ready for social security benefits.

[silverdsl]

Don't forget Adam Graves, he's still around. Messier has looked great so far this season which is pretty incredible considering his age. I'm so happy he's back with the Rangers and I can't wait to see him and the rest of the team later this month at the Garden!

-Deborah

[harley]

It is so hard to get into them - I am still suffering Yankee withdrawal - but you guys are right - the team looks different - in a good way - they definitely are not as slow as they were last year ... As much as i like the Rangers - and I will never forger 94 - I can't follow them like I do the Yankees - for about 25 yrs now...

[marrymejeter]

I hear ya about the Yankee withdrawal. I keep thinking that I'm going to come home from work everyday and watch a baseball game. I really got spoiled b/c the Yanks didn't have day off the whole last month and a half of the season. But I'm starting to look forward to watching and attending a few Ranger games this season. I'm a HUGE Brian Leetch fan. I'm so glad that Messier is back (my apologies for forgetting about Gravey in that last post - where is my brain?). Brian looks so much more comfortable on the ice and he already has 14 assists on the season. You're right that they picked up some speed. That's good to see. I'm looking forward to a better season. The Devils are just too damn good, though...I long for the excitement of '94.

[harley]

I recently ran into Brian - he looks great - he lives right across the street from me - has the cutest little baby - and he said he had a great offseason - the spirit is back thanks to Mess and hopes that the Rangers can get back some of the spotlight which he and the team is more than willing to share with the Yankees...

[marrymejeter]

Harley - does Brian still live on Central Park West, around the 80s? I know he lived there a few years ago but wasn't sure if he moved after he got married. (I was SO upset about that, even though I got married around the same time he did). Glad to hear he has a baby - boy or girl?

In any event, Brian looks so much more at ease on the ice now that Messier is back. I don't think Leetch really wanted all of the responsibility that went along with that C on his shoulder. He's not the type of guy who likes the spotlight and, from what I understand, was not a huge voice in the locker room. But I still think he's one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Hopefully the rest of the team will respond to Messier's leadership like in the early 90s and start kicking the Devils' asses again.

[harley]

He still lives on the UWS - in the 80's - I literally live across the street from him - we shop at the same deli - so that is where I ran into him - I have seen the baby - i believe it is a boy- I never really asked him though!! He was for obvious reasons, more approachable before he was married - I was very fortunate to hang out with him and Mess and other Rangers at the Auction House at a post Stanley Cup party in 94 - I will never forget that - and he bought the cup into our neighborhoodbar - I will never forget that either!! ... The good old days... the nicest thing he ever said was when I asked for an autograph - he would not give me one because I was a friend not just a fan!! And for Mark- oh my - what a fine looking person - didn't wash my cheek for days!!!

[marrymejeter]

Wow - all I can say is - Wow. I'm green with envy. I tried to get to the Auction House back in '94, and again in '95 and '96 (since I heard that the Rangers always hang out there) and was DENIED b/c the bouncer said you had to be 25 to get in and I was only 21 in '94. By the time I turned 25, I wasn't really going out in the city anymore (got engaged and quit that whole weekend on the upper east side bit). I still want to go there though. Do you know if the guys still hang out there?

That's a funny story about the autograph b/c in the summer of '94, after the Cup was won, I went to a grand opening of a Sports Authority store in Queens b/c I heard Brian was going to be there. (Mind you, I live in NJ). I almost fainted when he walked in, first of all, and then, when I finally got to the front of the line, I couldn't formulate a sentence except for "Wow, that's some ring" (said in admiration of his Stanley Cup ring). I felt like the girl from Dirty Dancing saying "I carried a watermelon."

I did manage to get him to sign my Jersey (which I have yet to wash and which I wear to every Ranger game I go to) and a picture. Unfortunately, living in NJ, I only wind up running into the Devils at local bars, who I have no desire to speak with and who I enjoy taunting about their playoff record against the Rangers. Maybe I should relocate to the city?

[harley]

They hung out there all last season - I hardly see any of them during the summer - Mike Richter lived up here too - before he got married - I literally ran into and over him crossing broadway once ... I didn't know what to say to him - I did apologize - I was so embarrassed...

Brian used to hang out in my local watering hole - so I ask if there had been any sightings - they used to go after the game was over - way past my bedtime - and with the kid now - I am not sure what his 'nocturnal' activities are anymore - but I hope to run into him - I just got a Leetch jersey for my BDAY and he has to sign it!!!

And congrats to him for his 800 points !!! If they win this year - I will take you to the Auction House- deal?

[marrymejeter]

ABSOLUTELY A DEAL!!!

I used to go to Kelly's Korner, which is right on the corner of 89th and 2nd, up the street from the Auction House. It used to kill me that I wasn't old enough to get in over there. BUT now I'm plenty old enough (but now plenty married, although so are most of the players now), so I'm there.

I am having mixed emotions about my Leetch jersey. When he became captain, my husband had a "C" put on the jersey. But now, I feel like I have to change it back since "the Captain" is back. I certainly can't buy a new one b/c this one is autographed.

[harley]

That jersey will be a classic!!! If you are every on Amsterdam avenue - go to the deli at the corner of 83rd street - ask to see the Stanley Cup Pictures - they are AWESOME!!!

[caliyanksfan]

i went to my first game last night and it was a blast! maybe my expectations are low right now due to baseball withdrawal, but i though it was pretty cool--fast, loud, and exciting.;) my home-town team is the kings and they are in like last place, but it was still fun. and they won.
the rangers and islanders are both coming here soon. i might try to go see them.
orangemom, thanks so much for the info. i think i was pretty impressive for a 'hockey virgin.'

~~jl

[marrymejeter]

cali - welcome to the wonderful world of NHL hockey!!

of course it's no comparison to MLB and the Yanks but it serves as a good stop gap in the offseason. Hockey is definitely better experienced at the game - the hits just seem that much harder and the pace is that much faster when you're there in person.

when the rangers come to town you should check out a game - they seem to have a pretty good team this year and you'll get to see the legend, "the Captain", Mark Messier (as well as my fav, that cutie Brian Leetch).

[orangemom]

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday. Oh I can't wait. My first Rangers game EVER! I am beyond psyched. Two of my greatest loves in the building at the same time, Adam Graves and Jeremy Roenick. Who could ask for more? I mean, is this going to be a little slice of heaven or what? Like I told you in the email Caliyanksfan, be careful. Hockey is addicting. Once you get bitten by the hockey bug, your life will never be the same. I married the man who took me to my first live game. :) :)

[harley]

Orangemom-

Have a great time on Sunday!!! I can't wait to get to my first ranger game this year - but not until January :( ...they are looking very spirited as of late!!

[allybear]

I am a big Rangers fan, as well as a Pittsburgh Penguins fan (I like penguins the bird, so that started me, and the two cups, Super Mario, Jagr, etc., didn't hurt). The Rangers look like they're coming around this year, they've been scoring goals in bunches, which is nice to see!

O'mom - I couldn't remember when you're coming to NY, I'm glad to see you up here before you left! Have a great time - the Garden is a good place to watch a game! :)

[orangemom]

Thanks guys. I know I'm gonna love it. I'm so psyched right now I can't even sleep. What am I gonna be like tomorrow night? lol. Here's hoping the remainder of the black eye I got from getting bashed by the puck in Utica is gone by Sunday. I've been walking around looking like the bride of frankenstein for two weeks now. You don't have to duck pucks often in the garden do you? That's not an experience I want to relive any time soon. lol

[harley]

how unlucky am I?? as i said before , brian live across the street from me and we frequent the same local bar - so tonite - i am at work till 8:30 - and on my way home - i stop in, only to find out that I missed Brian, Mrs. Leetch and Mark ...by like 10 minutes!!!! But my solace is that a friend of mine asked if the cup is coming back to NY - and both of them said yes and brian left a msg for me - he said hello - how cool is that??!!!

[marrymejeter]

Harley - you just kill me! Ya killin me here!!!

Just where is this bar that Mr. and Mrs. Leetch (as much as I hate to hear that) and "the Captain" hang out? I'd like to check it out some day.

That is SOOO cool that Brian asked for you and left you a message - UNBELIEVABLE!!! I am so jealous. I think I'm moving on up to the West Side so I can run into Brian every now and then.

[caliyanksfan]

o'mom--have a blast! (it sounds like there's no way that you won't). watch out for those pucks, too!
oh yea, and i'll try to keep your warnings in mind...;)
btw, the kings are doing better than i thought--second in their division right now. the rangers are coming here mid-december, so i'll try to go to that game. i take it no one around here cares for the islanders, so i won't bother w/them (coming next week).
mmj, that's so funny about not being able to talk to him! i've done the same thing on the few occasions i've come face to face w/yankees.

phyillis, i'm sure i'll have more questions for you soon.
but for now i just hope you have a GREAT time!!

~~jl

[harley]

mmj - the bar is in the 80's on the UWS - it's called The Raccoon Lodge - they don't hang out there all the time but it is very close to where Brian lives so we see him every now and then ... I think my friends made Brian say hello!!! - the pix from 94 I think are still up in the bar - back in the non-married days - he would stop in late - after the game - this time he was there in the afternoon - with the Mrs. and friends and Mark showed up - and they were going somewhere midtown - my friends gave them directions.... I wish I was there!!

Anytime you want - stop by the bar - let me know and I will buy you a drink!