Ottawa Citizen

Mr. Ranger kept hockey in spotlight on Broadway

Hall of famer took team ambassador role seriously and New York fans adored him

- LANCE HORNBY

During the lowest points of their 54-year Stanley Cup drought before 1994, the New York Rangers always had Rod Gilbert.

On the ice, he carved a hall of fame career through 18 seasons and two back surgeries, and off it, he kept the hockey flame burning on Broadway. Gilbert died late Sunday, not long after his 80th birthday.

“That title, Mr. Ranger, he took it seriously,” fellow team ambassador Ron Duguay told the New York Post. “You would see him in suite visits and walking in the aisles, he'd stop for everyone who wanted a picture or an autograph. He absolutely loved it, and the fans adored him. And he never got tired of any of it. That's just who he was. There was no one better at representi­ng (Madison Square) Garden, the franchise, the brand, and representi­ng all of us. The first time I walked into the Garden to sign my contract, he was the first man to meet me. And he took me out that night, too, kind of a celebratio­n, the beginning of a long relationsh­ip.”

The Montreal-born Gilbert was an instant hit in the Big Apple in the early 1960s, having been a star with their Ontario minor affiliate, the Guelph Biltmores.

Right winger on the Goal-AGame (GAG) Line with Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield, the eight-time all-star was the franchise's leader in goals (406), points (1,021) and the first

Ranger to have his number — 7 — retired at MSG.

The closest Gilbert got to the cup was losing the 1972 final to Boston in six games, though later that year he helped Team Canada beat the Soviets in the Summit Series. In 1960, his final season with Guelph, Gilbert's skate slipped on some garbage that fans had tossed on the ice, sending him tumbling into the boards, snapping a vertebra in his back and temporaril­y paralyzing him.

He needed delicate spinal fusion surgery.

Gilbert produced a career-best 43 goals and 97 points in 1971-72 and four years later won the Bill Masterton Trophy for perseveran­ce and dedication to hockey.

“I would have loved to have played on a cup winner,” Gilbert once said.

“But I had my share of thrills, and in a lot of ways, I was very lucky, considerin­g my dream of making the NHL and being able to do what I did with all those back problems.”

Madison Square Garden Sports executive chairman James Dolan said in a statement: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Rod Gilbert — one of the greatest Rangers to ever play for our organizati­on and one of the greatest ambassador­s the game of hockey has ever had.

“While his on-ice achievemen­ts rightly made him a hall of famer, it was his love for the Rangers and the people of New York that endeared him to generation­s of fans and forever earned him the title, `Mr. Ranger.' Our thoughts are with Rod's wife, Judy, and the entire Gilbert family during this difficult time. They will always be a part of the Rangers family.”

Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury said: “Everyone in the Rangers organizati­on mourns the loss of a true New York icon. Rod's remarkable talent and zest for life personifie­d this city and endeared him to hockey fans and non-hockey fans alike. Growing up a young Rangers fan, one of the first names I ever heard about was Rod Gilbert — he was synonymous with Rangers hockey. It was an incredible privilege to get to know Rod. His passion and dedication to the Rangers will forever be a source of inspiratio­n for me.”

NHL NOTES

As he had promised at an emotional eulogy last month, Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has named his new baby son to honour late teammate Matiss Kivlenieks. Elvis and wife Aleksandra are now the proud parents of Knox Matiss Merzlikins.

Kivlenieks died in a July 4 fireworks mishap in which he was credited with saving Aleksandra ... Though COVID-19 and cross-border travel remains a concern, the NHL has released its full 2021 pre-season schedule. It begins Sept. 25 with an afternoon game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena. Next day, the expansion Seattle Kraken make their unofficial debut against the Vancouver Canucks in Spokane, Wash. Games run until Oct.

9 ... The New York Islanders, unable to play at home until their new arena in Belmont, N.Y., is ready on Nov. 20, will play three exhibition­s in Bridgeport, Conn. Neutral site pre-season games also will be staged in: Abbotsford, B.C. (Calgary vs. Vancouver, Sept. 27); Independen­ce, Mo. (Chicago vs. St. Louis, Oct. 2); Orlando, Fla. (Florida vs. Tampa Bay, Oct. 5); and Salt Lake City, Utah (L.A. vs. Vegas, Sept. 30).

 ?? MARK LENNIHAN/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES ?? New York Rangers legend Rod Gilbert, foreground, and former team captain Mark Messier attend a charity event in 1994. Gilbert died on Sunday at age 80.
MARK LENNIHAN/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES New York Rangers legend Rod Gilbert, foreground, and former team captain Mark Messier attend a charity event in 1994. Gilbert died on Sunday at age 80.
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