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Rangers announce February game for Ratelle tribute, number retirement
The Garden party that has been a generation in the making is set for Feb. 25.
That’s the night the Rangers will pay tribute to the great Jean Ratelle by retiring the elegant centerman’s No. 19 before their game against the Red Wings.
Ratelle, who turns 77 Oct. 3, is the third-leading scorer in franchise history, recording 817 points (336 goals, 481 assists) in 862 games from 1961 until he was traded to the Bruins with Brad Park in exchange for Phil Esposito, Carol Vadnais and Joe Zanussi in an act of sedition by general man- ager Emile Francis on Nov. 7, 1975.
Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985, Ratelle completed his career with 1,267 points (491 goals, 776 assists) in 1,281 games, retiring following the 1980-81 season. He was named one of the NHL’s Greatest 100 in a ceremony at last year’s All-Star weekend in Los Angeles and wore a Rangers jersey during the presentation prior to the game (while Park wore Boston colors).
That weekend prompted conversations with club president Glen Sather that culminated in the decision, reported exclusively by The Post in February, to make Ratelle the ninth player in franchise history to be so memorialized.
Ed Giacomin (No. 1), Brian Leetch (No. 2), Harry Howell (No. 3), Rod Gilbert (No. 7), Andy Bathgate (No. 9), Adam Graves (No. 9), Mark Messier (No. 11) and Mike Richter (No. 35) previously have been so honored.
“To have your sweater retired is the greatest honor a player can receive. You could not ask for more than that,” Ratelle told The Post upon the announcement. “I’m really looking forward to being back at the Garden. My family will be with me. I’m going to enjoy it.”