Chris Kreider uses Shoulder Check Showcase to say goodbye to Rangers fans
Chris Kreider is still getting used to being a member of the Anaheim Ducks after the New York Rangers traded away their longest-tenured player on June 12. A number of Rangers fans used the Shoulder Check Showcase in Stamford, Connecticut, on Thursday night as a chance to say goodbye.
The 34-year-old forward also used the third annual event to bid farewell to some of the fans who cheered him during his 13 seasons with the Blueshirts.
“A lot of kindness, a lot of appreciation, a lot of gratitude — and that goes both ways,” said Kreider, whose 326 goals with the Rangers are third in team history. “Super lucky to have experienced what I experienced, something that’s always going to be near and dear to me and a massive part of that is obviously the fan base. That’s what makes the Rangers so special, right?”
The trade to Anaheim came after a season that saw Kreider struggle with injuries and inconsistency.
The injury troubles started with early-season back spasms. Then came vertigo during the holidays, knocking him out of the lineup again. Just as things seemed to get settled in February, a hand injury that ended up requiring offseason surgery derailed his progress once again.
After three straight seasons with at least 36 goals, Kreider finished with just 22. His eight assists and 30 points were full-season career lows. With the Rangers looking to get younger after one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history, the trade wasn’t a surprise.
Chris Kreider says goodbye to Rangers fans at charity event
Kreider looked at ease at the charity event, which promotes mental health awareness and is held in memory of Hayden Thorsen, a 16-year-old hockey player. He’s been involved since the beginning and has gotten several current and former Rangers involved.
Fans lined up outside the players’ entrance as early as 2:30 p.m., 90 minutes before the event’s scheduled start time. Many of the fans were specifically looking to see Kreider.
Kreider will see a few familiar faces when he reports to training camp in September. He’ll join former Rangers teammates Frank Vatrano, Ryan Strome and Jacob Trouba as the Ducks try to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Vatrano, who played on Kreider’s line after joining the Rangers in the latter stages of the 2021-22 season before signing with the Ducks that summer, was delighted to have his former teammate on board in Anaheim.
“I think just his work ethic, the way he goes about his business every single day,” he said when asked what Kreider will bring to the Ducks under new coach Joel Quenneville. “He’s an absolute animal in the gym and works hard every single shift. I think, for us, we have such a young team, we have such a balance. … Probably eight guys over the age of 23 and we have another seven or eight guys who are over the age of 30. There’s a good balance and we all get along.”
Kreider was also pleased at one benefit from being traded: He can plan to be home for the holidays.
“We have a nice homestand on Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year’s, which I’ve never had before,” he said. “It’s definitely different.”
The Ducks are home for six straight games over two weeks in late November, meaning that he’ll be able to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with his family. Anaheim also has seven straight games in Southern California from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2 – six at home and a Dec. 27 visit to the Los Angeles Kings.
That’s a big contrast to his time in New York, where the Rangers are usually on the road for most of the second half of November and have traditionally hit the road after Christmas. This season, they play away games on Thanksgiving Eve and Black Friday afternoon, then take to the road from Dec. 21 through Jan. 2 (though the entire NHL is off Dec. 24-26).
Vatrano feels Kreider will be happy on and off the ice in his new home.
“He’s going to come to a place where he’s good buddies with me, [Jacob Trouba] and [Ryan Strome],” he said. “I think it’s more laid back in California, where you can kind of fly under the radar. Great place to raise a family, in the sunshine every day, so he’s going to love it.”
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