Rangers set Hadfield date

Another night of historic revelry is set, as the Rangers announced Tuesday that Dec. 2, before a home game against the Jets, will be the night they raise Vic Hadfield’s No. 11 to the Garden rafters.

The honor for Hadfield was announced in February, on the night when Jean Ratelle’s No. 19 got its long-overdue hoisting to the famous pinwheeled ceiling. With Hadfield up there, the GAG line of the late-1960s and early-1970s will be together again, as his sweater joins Ratelle’s and Rod Gilbert’s.

“As a player, Vic Hadfield embodied the heart, soul, and determination of a New York Ranger,” team president Glen Sather said in a statement. “His willingness to contribute in any way necessary to help the Rangers win earned the respect and admiration of his teammates and fans alike. It is only fitting that Vic takes his rightful place alongside the Rangers legends in the rafters of Madison Square Garden.”

Hadfield, 77, is just the 10th player in history to have his jersey retired by the organization. He played parts of 13 seasons with the Rangers (1961-74), registering 262 goals and 572 points, along with 1,041 penalty minutes, in 841 games. He was named the 14th captain in franchise history in 1971.

He was traded in the summer of 1974 to the Penguins and retired in 1977.

The Rangers also announced the hiring of former NHL player Steve Konowalchuk as an amateur scout, with his primary responsibility being the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Konowalchuk, 45, was an assistant coach with the Ducks last season and a head coach for Seattle in the WHL from 2011-17 where he coached Islanders star and reigning Calder Trophy winner, Mat Barzal.