Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News / USA TODAY NETWORKAfter missing the playoffs in 1959, the Rangers were sad but – come to think of it, not VERY sad. Nor were the playoff-less Boston Bruins.
How come?
Would you be distraught if a Swiss gentleman emerged with free tickets to London, Paris, Geneva, Vienna, Geneva, Antwerp, Zurich, Dortmund, Essen and a few other lush towns.
And merely to play a bit of exhibition hockey.
Each of the barnstorming NHLers also would be gifted with $1,000 cash and engraved watches and an all-expense European tour.
Naturally, you would accept and they did.The Blueshirts came, they saw and, in the end, they conquered.
The tour was a Rangers (11-9-3) success with one other bonus – there were no curfews in London, Vienna and Paris!