At the end of World War II, the Rangers began restocking a roster that had been riddled with enlistments in the armed forces. "A lot of our players who were on our 1940 Cup team had gotten older," said manager Frank Boucher, "so we had to get fresh replacements." A trio of potential NHL aces were playing for the Blueshirts farm team right there in Madison Square Garden. The New York Rovers skated in the Eastern Amateur Hockey League and – before the war – had a solid record of developing skaters for the Rangers. But now there was a new trick; the Rovers had an entire line ready for the big club. Cal Gardner was the center, flanked by Church Russell on right wing and Rene Trudel on the left side. Stan Fischler US Hall Of Fame MSG "They were tearing up the Eastern League," said Boucher, "so we had to give them a shot at the NHL." They also had become a big draw. In a Sunday afternoon game against the Boston Olympics, the Rovers drew 16,186 which was more than the Rangers attracted that night. Sure enough late in the 1945-46 season, all three were promoted and that's how the Rangers obtained "The Atomic Line." Bringing up an entire trio at once – plus a unit with an engaging and topical nickname – appealed to Rangers fans, nor did the Atomic Line disappoint. The threesome was invited to training camp in October 1946 and played the entire 1946-47 campaign together. But the full season was enough to determine which of the stickhandlers had the NHL goods and who didn't. Only Cal Gardner would remain a full-time Ranger. Trudell hung around the NHL for a short time while Russell wound up with Cleveland in the AHL. "It was worth a try," Boucher concluded, "and for a while, those Atomics were a big hit, but eventually the line fizzled out. Still, it was fun while it lasted!"
