Here are ten Rangers fun facts from the past.
1. The postgame hang out after games at the Old Garden on Eighth Avenue was Al Muller's German restaurant across MSG on 50th Street. Win or lose, reporters went there for the schnitzel and beer.
2. Muller's had a talking parrot who – according to witnesses – one night told diner Phil Watson that he was a lousy Rangers coach. Phiery Phil didn't hit the bird, fearing a Parrot Penalty!
3. Blueshirts press agent Stan Saplin created the first Rangers media guide – or history of the hockey club – in September 1947. It was a landmark NHL publication including a Who's Who of every single Ranger up through the 1946-47 season.
4. Saplin's production was so good that "Encyclopedia of Sports" author Frank G. Menke called it "a wise and splendid job." It became a prototype for the other five NHL teams who followed up with reasonable facsimiles but none as good as the Rangers' job.
5. The Rangers first game at the old Garden took place on November 16, 1926. Lester Patrick's Blueshirts beat the Montreal Maroons, 1-0. Bill Cook scored the winner. In those days no assists were awarded on goals, otherwise brother Bun Cook would have gotten the helper; because he helped with a neat pass.
6. Writing in the New York Times about the home opener reporter Seabury Lawrence noted that it was a "fast and savagely played hockey game."
7. Harold "Hal" Winkler was New York's starting goalie but he only lasted eight games (3-4-1 with a 2.00 goals against average) which wasn't good enough for boss Lester Patrick.
8. Lester replaced Winkler with Lorne Chabot. After retiring from the NHL, Winkler found himself an usual gig that must have pleased Mrs. Winkler. He operated a mink farm outside of Winnipeg.
9. Claude Lemieux won two Stanley Cups with the Devils and one each with Colorado and Montreal. Just 14 years into his career he had won as many Cups as the Rangers organization.
10. Although Camille Henry won the Calder Trophy in 1953-54 weighing only 135 pounds, management wanted to beef him up. After the season Cammy was told to drink malted milk twice a day; which he did. When training camp opened in September 1954, Henry still weighed 135 pounds!