New York Rangers bloopers from ‘Gretkzy’ to Lias Andersson’s trip
The long summer continues as fans await the start of the next New York Rangers season.
As the anticipation builds for what this team can do after an exciting run to Eastern Conference Final, it’s time to look back on the franchise’s rich history.
The Blueshirts have been in the NHL since 1926 and have had some amazing moments. Of course, being around that long they have their share of some embarrassing ones too.
So we decided to take you back to a few true blooper gems from the Rangers archives.
Rangers bloopers: The Hockey Sock Rock
In 1979, some of hockey’s greats decided it was a good idea to get into the Rock N’ Roll business. This is a classic but pretty embarrassing when you look back. I think Phil Esposito’s induction into the Hall of Fame was delayed because of this. “How was I to know he was a ref-er-ree!!!”
Maybe it was really cool back in the day, but this is definitely cringeworthy now.
Ooooh Lala… Oh No
Was there something funny in the air in 1979? Anders Hedberg, Ron Duguay, Dave Maloney and of course…Phil Esposito were featured in a popular jeans commercial that totally backfired. The line ‘Ooh La La Sasson’ would be changed to Ooh La La So Soon whenever the Rangers were eliminated from the playoffs.
The jeans were really nice though.
Hockey Sock Rock Rangers edition
Ok, ok…if Hockey Sock Rock wasn’t bad enough, John Davidson did a segment for an NHL direct to video release in the 80’s that will make you shake your head.
Phil Esposito led the charge again with Ron Duguay and Dave Maloney. Also in the video is a song by the some L.A. Kings stars which include Marcel Dionne, who later would play for the Rangers too.
John Giannone rare blooper
John Giannone is one of the best in the business, but this moment during an old MSG broadcast in 2015 is one he would love to forget. In fairness to John, it wasn’t his mistake alone because someone in the truck aired the wrong clip.
After a brief commercial break the appropriate clip aired and Giannone captured the moment beautifully as he always does.
The Great Mistake
It’s spelled G-R-E-T-Z-K-Y! Not G-R-E-T-K-Z-Y!
Did the Rangers really do that? Yes, on October 30th, 1997 the Rangers misspelled the name of the greatest hockey player in the world to ever lace up skates. AGAINST THE ISLANDERS NO LESS! I bet many of you have locked this embarrassing moment away. Sorry to shed light on this debacle again. Wayne Gretzky we apologize…again…and again.
Wayne Gretzky’s amazing career spanned 20 years beginning with the Edmonton Oilers. He was then traded to the L.A. Kings in what is still considered one of the most shocking moves in sports. Gretzky made a pit stop with the St. Louis Blues before ending his illustrious career on Broadway.
The all-time leader in NHL scoring with 2,857 points: Wayne Gretkzy– I mean Gretzky.
Lias Andersson falls on opening night
Lias Andersson suffered one of the most embarrassing moments for a Ranger. The setting was Opening Night against the Winnipeg Jets on October 3, 2019.
Andersson was feeling really good coming out of training camp after making the team for the 2019-20 season. The Rangers first-round pick from the 2017 Draft was on the opening night roster and was being introduced to the crowd.
Stick raised in the air triumphantly to acknowledge the fans’ cheers, Andersson forgot about the perilous TV wire that took him down on the way to center ice.
The Rangers did go on to win that game 6-4 with Artemi Panarin recording three points in his Garden debut.
In the end, this was Andersson’s final season with the Rangers. He was eventually traded to the L.A. Kings for a second round pick in the 2020 Draft.
Wait a minute? Is there a trend between the Rangers and Kings when it comes to bloopers? We may have to investigate that in the future.
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