“The Captain” and the Captains: The New York Rangers Leadership History

A look at the New York Rangers leaders from 1927 to 2023 for new fans and diehards.

Bill Cook (1926-1937): “The Bread Line” pioneer led the Rangers to two championships in 11 seasons the team's first captain. He was the first player ever signed by the club by Conn Smythe. In the 1933 Stanley Cup Final he scored two overtime goals, one of which was the series winner. It is often considered the Ranger's “Forgotten Cup” because the actual trophy was not available until November to hoist. He was the oldest player to win a scoring title in the NHL until Martin St. Louis broke the record in 2013, nearly 100 years later. Bill passed in 1986, buried near his brother Bun.

Art Coulter (1937-1942): Captain for 5 seasons.

Erhardt Heller (1942-1945): Led the Rangers during the height of WWII.

Neil Colville (1945-1949): Lead the Rangers post-WWII. Played with his brother Mac as the first defensive pair of brothers in NHL history.

Buddy O’Connor (1949-1950): Led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup Game 7 overtime… that they would lose to the Detroit Red Wings.

Frank Edolls (1950-1951): Featured in one of the most lopsided trades of all time, the other side of the Ted Kennedy trade. He is one of the few defensemen to ever successfully defend Maurice “Rocket” Richard.

Allan Stanley (1951-1954): Began his career in New York, but went on to win 4 championships elsewhere.

Don Raleigh (1954-1955): In the 1950 Stanley Cup Finals, he recorded back-to-back overtime goals, making him the only player in history to do so. In Game 7 of that series, he hit the crossbar in overtime, and the Rangers went on to lose the game. He was a career Ranger.

Harry Howell (1955-1957): Howell holds the Rangers all-time games played record at 1,160 contests.

George “Red” Sullivan (1957-1961): In 1958, Sullivan recorded 21 goals and 63 points from the blue line. Sullivan was speared so badly by Doug Harvey in one game, that it ruptured his spleen, and a priest was administered to the hospital for his last rites. He survived and continued to play for the Rangers.

Andy Bathgate (1961-1964): One of the faces of his era alongside Gordie Howe and Doug Harvey.

Bob Nevin (1963-1971): Was the return in a trade that sent Andy Bathgate to Toronto. A skilled forward in his days with the Leafs, he went on to play well in New York.

Vic Hadfield (1971-1974): Led the Rangers to the 1972 Stanley Cup Final.

Brad Park (1974-1976): Often considered second to Bobby Orr in his time, captained the Rangers for two seasons.

Phil Esposito (1975-1978): Captained the Rangers in his late thirties playing on the famous “Godfather” line in a return to dominance in the late 1970s. His scoring touch scorched the Islanders in the 1979 playoffs.

Dave Maloney (1978-1980): Youngest captain in Rangers history, led the team to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.

Walt Tkaczuk (1980-1981): The first German-born player to play in the NHL, Tkaczuk was respected as an amazing shadow defender and elite faceoff man. His contributions advanced the game of hockey, contrasting his GAG line teammates to help the team succeed. In fact, in 1972 Rod Gilbert and Jean Ratelle were injured, and his play led the team to the 1972 Finals.

Barry Beck (1980-1986): “ Shoot the puck Barry!”-Bill Chadwick

Ron Greschner (1986-1988): Greschner played 15 seasons, all as a Ranger. He was a member of the 1979 Finals team with Phil Esposito and finished his career in 1990 playing with Brian Leetch, His career spanned from the first defeat of the Islanders in 1979 to the brutal four years of Islanders championships and ended in the 1990 revenge playoff victory against the cross-town rivals.

Kelly Kisio (1987-1991): Played 5 seasons in New York, captaining the team to 3 playoff appearances.

Mark Messier (1991-1997): “The Captain” is considered the greatest captain in sports history. “The Messiah” led the Rangers through the glorious 1994 championship run, ending “The Curse”. Messier would also lead the Rangers to a surprise conference final run in 1997.

Brian Leetch (1997-2000): Arguably the Ranger's all-time best player took the reigns following Messier's departure. When “The Captain” returned, he handed those reigns right back.

Mark Messier (2000-2004): Messier returned as one of the oldest captains in NHL history. In his second stint, he helped New York City heel following the attacks on September 11th, 2001. 

Jaromir Jagr (2006-2008): Holds the Rangers goals in a season record (54), captaining the team in 2006 to its first playoff appearances since 1997.

Chris Drury (2008-2010): Captained New York at the end of his career, Drury is the current general manager of the club.

Ryan Callahan (2011-2014): Acknowledged for his all-in style of play, and an overtime goal that sent the Rangers into the 2013 post-season.

Ryan McDonagh (2014-2018): A major contributor to the Rangers 2014 run, McDonagh led the Rangers to a Presidents Trophy and Conference Final series appearance in 2015.

Jacob Trouba (2022-Present): The current captain of the Rangers adopted a physical identity that considers that earned him a reputation as the scariest hitter in the game today.