Marc Staal impressed me the first time I met him.

He was in Rangers livery at Nassau Coliseum for a Blueshirts-Islanders exhibition game. The Redhead was just a kid; but a big prospect at that.

We did a between periods interview and when it was over I thought to myself, "This kid impresses me."

Of course I never could have imagined that he would enjoy a distinguished career with an assortment of teams after the Blueshirts.

Now he's back in his own backyard having retired and anointed with the title of "Rangers Player Development Assistant."

Bottom Line: He'll teach the young defense prospects how to be better players. Good choice. Good guy.

Also From THN Rangers:

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/tony-deangelo-details-altercation-that-got-him-waived-from-rangers

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/the-replacement-for-sam-rosen-already-is-firmly-in-place

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/rangers-and-knicks-playoff-success-lead-to-historic-financial-numbers

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers/latest-news/its-time-for-a-new-generation-of-rangers-players-to-take-over