This week The Hockey News is all about enforcers. The New York Rangers have a vibrant array of enforcer characters that have skated in blue for nearly a century. Meet some of New York's toughest customers.
Ivan “Ching” Johnson (1926-1937):
Johnson helped the Rangers capture two Stanley Cup championships in 1928 and 1933.
He finished one vote behind Howie Morenz for the Hart Trophy in 1932 and participated in the first-ever NHL all-star game in 1934, a benefit game to raise money for Ace Bailey who had died from a violent hit that season.
Johnson always finished in the top rankings of fighting infractions on Tex Rangers, consistently trailing the menace of the era, Eddie Shore, only buy a few penalty minutes.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0YJWztdbq0[/embed]
“Leapin” Lou Fontinato (1954-1961):
Lou Fantinato is widely regarded as the most feared enforcer of his era. Fontinato became the first player to ever hit 200 penalty minutes in a single season.
“Leapin Lou” would have a violent feud with Gordie Howe, one of their most famous tilts at the world's most famous arena occurred on February 1st, 1959.
Fontinato was traded from New York for legendary Montreal Canadien Doug Harvey, who would go on to win the Norris Trophy with the Rangers.
His career came to an abrupt end in 1963 when he tried to land a violent check on Rangers winger Vic Hadfield, which left Fontinato paralyzed for a month.
His great nephew is one-time New York Ranger Greg Mckegg.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ4Z8KBInX4[/embed]
Nick Fotiu (1976-1979, 1980-1985):
Nick Fotiu is a legend to the blue-collar Ranger fan. New York-born, New York bread, Fotiu was the first player from the city to wear a blue shirt in the club's history.
Fotiu began his career in the WHA but had signed with the Rangers to lay down the law. As a child, he had once sat in the legendary blue seats, the ticket of the common man. Fotiu would throw pucks all the way into the blue seats at the top of the arena for the real fans in the building, which made Fotiu a “Rocky” like figure in the big apple.
Jeff Beukeboom (1991-1999):
Do you know the Lindgren Fox dynamic? That was Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukaboom. Beukaboom is second all-time in New York Rangers penalty minute sin history, retiring at 1,890 minutes over 804 games played.
Beukaboom became famous for his punishing hits and physical play, notching just thirty goals in his career. His unique and punishing play helped the Rangers end “The Curse” in 1994.
Sean Avery (2006-2008, 2008-2012):
You might recognize Sean Avery from his role in Oppenheimer. No, that is not a joke, Sean Avery, New York’s bad news magnet, just starred in a Christopher Nolan film.
Avery is as close to the Kanye West of hockey as you could get to a Mr. West in hockey. Avery has a rule named after him, feuded with hard knocks coach Tortorella, is involved in Vogue and fashion modeling, and ran an Instagram account separate from his personal profile against the obstruction of New York City’s bike lanes.
Number 16 was a show on the ice and off the ice. Avery racked up 509 penalty minutes in his 6 years as a Ranger.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYiUI4B9Ibo[/embed]
Ryan Reaves (2021-2022):
“Reavo” played one full season for the New York Rangers, and the modern enforcer kept opponents at bay without a scuffle. Reaves did have a few fights in New York against some of the current games' most feared combatants like Patrick Maroon, Marcus Foligno, and Max Domi.
Reaves's locker room character and intimidation were missed by the 2023 squad, who missed his presence in their tumultuous first-round exit.