John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesFred Shero is best known to the Blueshirt faithful as the New York coach who led the Rangers to the 1979 Stanley Cup before losing in a five-game Final to the Canadiens.
Actually, the man they called "Ferocious Freddy, had a long history with the Blueshirts as a reliable defenseman.
During the 1943-44 season the Rangers ran an Eastern Amateur Hockey League team called the Brooklyn Crescents.
Shero made his debut with them at The Garden and continued a year later with the New York Rovers. A fast, rushing defenseman with a wicked shot, Shero was a cog on the 1949-50 club that made it to Game Seven of the Final round before being ousted in double overtime.
Previously, in his native Winnipeg, he won the bantamweight and flyweight boxing titles.
Then he put on weight and eventually became a fighting Ranger. In a one on ice fight Fred once went up against one of the best punchers in the league and fought the big Red Wing to a draw.
That man was Gordie Howe!