In our archives throwback, former Norris winner Rod Langway vied for a pro-comeback with the ECHL's Richmond Renegades.
In our archives throwback, former Norris winner Rod Langway vied for a pro-comeback with the ECHL's Richmond Renegades.
By: Dave Fay
Two-time Norris Trophy winner Rod Langway, who hasn’t played competitively since Feb. 21, 1993, is attempting a comeback of sorts with the Richmond Renegades of the East Coast League.
Langway, 37, parted company with the Washington Capitals on less than friendly terms after the 15-year yeter-an was told he would no longer be playing every game because the club wanted to work younger legs into the lineup. Langway was six games short of his 1,000th NHL contest.
Craig Laughlin, Richmond general manager and a former teammate of Langway with the Montreal Canadiens and Capitals, said Langway’s performance would be assessed on a game-by-game basis. “I told him I didn’t want to put his life in jeopardy for a minor league team,” Laughlin said.
ECHL teams are allowed to dress three veterans. Langway will be used as a player and defensive tutor.
Laughlin and team president Harry Feuerstein said there were no immediate aims for Langway to attempt an NHL return.
The Renegades are averaging 5,700 fans a night and Feuerstein denied this was a publicity stunt to fill more seats.
“You don’t do publicity stunts with a team that’s in first place,” he said. “Stunt assumes there’s some sham involved, that something’s wrong. The reality is Rod wants to play and promote the game.”
Langway has spent the past two years perfecting his golf game.