The Forgotten Hockey Players of Broadway Podcast

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960's, 70's and 80's.

In this Bonus Episode, we look back at Jean Ratelle night at MSG this past Sunday evening, February, 25th 2018. During this historic, sentimental and long overdue ceremony, the "Greatest" homegrown center in Rangers history and NHL Hall of Famer( member of the NHL Top 100 players ever club) has his number 19 retired and lifted to the MSG rafters alongside other Rangers greats.

*Only the ninth Ranger to have his Jersey Retired joining :

#1 Eddie Giacomin

#2 Brian Leetch

#3- Harry Howell

#7 Rod Gilbert

#9 Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves

# 11 Mark Messier

#35 Mike Richter

*Eloquent and heartfelt speeches by former "GAG "( Goal a Game ) Linemates Vic Hadfield and Hall of Famer Rod Gilbert as well as former GM and Coach Emile "The Cat " Francis

* Former teammates, Hall of Famers Eddie Giacomin and Brad Park( member of the NHL top 100 players ever club), Steve Vickers, Bob Plager, Rod Seiling, Gilles Villemure, Ted Irvine, Pete Stemkowski and Bob Nevin, were there to support and Honor Jean Ratelle

* Other Ranger Greats on hand were Mark Messier, Adam Graves, Brian Leetch and Mike Richter

* Jean Ratelle's expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the Rangers organization, former teammates, and fans with the class and dignity that exemplified his legacy of excellence with the Rangers and Bruins both on and off the ice.

* The Evening's Surprise came with the unexpected announcement that Vic Hadfield will also have his Number 11 retired next season during a special evening at MSG. 

* Please find my comprehensive Jean Ratelle career highlight in my Episode # 2 podcast notes

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 1960'70's and 80's.

In Episode #11 we look back at the highest scoring left wing in Rangers history #8 Steve Vickers.

* Played all 10 of his NHL seasons with the Rangers

*Drafted by the Rangers with the 10th selection in the first round of the 1971 NHL draft.

* Converted to left wing by then Rangers GM/Coach Emile Francis after playing his Junior hockey career as a high scoring right wing.

* Earned the Calder trophy as the NHL "Rookie of the Year in 1972 after scoring 30 goals despite missing almost 20 games due to injury

*Scored 30,34,41 and 30 goals his first four seasons.

* Played with Walt Tkaczuk and Billy Fairbairn on the "Bull Dog line."

* First NHL player to record back to back "Hat Tricks." -1972

* Holds the Rangers record for most points in one game -7

* TKO'd the Bruins Don Marcotte with a right hand propelling the Rangers to one of their most critical regular-season victories during his rookie year -1972-73 season.

*Average skater but with great balance, strength, and toughness that allowed him to park outside the goal crease to score the majority of his goals with a devastating backhand shot.

* Led the NHL in shooting percentage in 1979-80 season with 29.6%

* Earned two All-Star game appearances in 1975 and 1976 including a second-team All NHL all-star  birth

* Greatest scoring Left wing in Rangers history with 246 goals,340 assists and 586 points

* Number 18 in the Top 100 Rangers of all time

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's,70's and 80's.

In episode #10 we look back at one of the most popular and entertaining players ever to play for the Rangers ......Staten Island's very own...number 22 Nick Fotiu.

* Grew up a Ranger fan and would sit in the blue seats at the Garden as a youngster

* Didn't start skating until the age of 15

* Would commute to hockey practice and skating lessons in the middle of the night by taking two subways and two buses to New Hyde Park.

*Signed with the Rangers in 1976

*Played 8 years with the Rangers

* Ranked number 100 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book "100 Greatest Rangers"

* An enforcer who could play the game

* Possessed Explosive speed and an outstanding wrist shot

* Started his Pro hockey career with the Cape Cod Cubs in the NAHL

*Led the league in penalty minutes with 371

* Played two seasons with the New England Whalers of the WHA

* Earned  the Police Athletic League Boxing champion Title as a youngster in NYC

*Would throw pucks into the stands after warmups before every Ranger home game

*A fierce competitor who always played hard and who was willing to lay out heavy hits, bring instantaneous energy, defend his teammates and drop the gloves.

* Was one of the most feared fighters in the game due to his great boxing skills.

* Played in 646 NHL games with the Rangers, Flames, Flyers, and Oilers. Scoring 60 goals, 137 points, and 1,362 PIM

* Has been an Assistant Coach for the Rangers New Haven Farm Team

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's ,70,s and 80's.

In Episode #9 I invite my son Mike Browning.....Podcast co-host for KNBR's " The Fish Tank Podcast " ( A podcast that discusses the San Jose Sharks on a weekly basis)in San Francisco to debate with me whether today's NHL game is  better than the game played during the  60's ,70's and 80's as well as the current state of the 2017-2018 Rangers and Sharks

* Were players such as Eddie shack, Guy Lafleur , Bobby Orr, Tiger Williams, Derek Sanderson and Dave Shultz more flamboyant, creative and just plain more identifiable on the ice for the fans during 60's, 70's and 80's than todays stars like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson.

* Were the Teams of the earlier era more known for their style of play, team culture and identity like Boston's "Big Bad Bruins", The Flyers "Broad Street Bullies" and Montreal's "Flying Frenchmen".

* Which era had the better goaltending?

* Are the Athletes in the NHL better today ?

* Whatever  happened to the ultimate home ice advantage of the earlier era.....that is the intimating and organically loud.......very loud fans from MSG, Chicago Stadium, Philadelphia and Boston ?

* How will the rest of the 2017-2018 Rangers and Sharks season play out ?

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's,70's and 80's.

In Episode #8 we look back at one of the Best Goaltenders in Rangers history. Number 30 Gilles Villemure.

*Played 10 years in the Minor leagues earning All-Star and MVP Honors

* Played in parts of 8 seasons with the Rangers starting with the 1963-64 season

*Made the club full-time in 1970-71

* Formed one of the best Goaltending tandems along with Eddie Giacomin in NHL history

* Shared the Vezina Trophy  with Teammate Eddie Giacomin as the leagues best Goaltender during the 1970-71 season

* Named to the NHL All-Star team 3 years in a row 1971,72 and 73

*Holds the NHL record for Best Goal Against Average during  All-Star game competition.

*A left handed stand up goaltender ...at times acrobatic known for his calm, cool and poise. Played the angles with precision.

* Finished his career with the Black Hawks after the 1976-77 season

* 100 career wins with 13 shutouts and a 2.81 GAA

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's,70's and 80's.

In Episode #7 we look back at two of the most eagerly awaited free agents  ever signed by the Rangers during the late 70's. Swedish stars Ulf Nilsson a Center and Anders Hedberg a Right Winger. Both arriving together in June of 78 after 4 brilliant years with the WHA Winnipeg Jets.

*Both have been elected to the Jets Hall of Fame.

* Along with Superstar Bobby Hull they formed one of the most prolific lines in Hockey called the "Hot Line".

*Hedberg was voted as one of the top 100 Rangers

* Nilsson scored 27 goals in an injury shortened first year with the Rangers while Hedberg notched 33.

* Hedberg holds the Rangers all time scoring record for a European player with 397 career points.

* Hedberg won the Bill Masterson Trophy in 84-85

* Hedberg was named an NHL All- Star during the 84-85season

* Nilsson and Hedberg won 2 WHA Championships with the Jets

* Nilsson's career was negatively impacted after a severe ankle injury from a Dennis Potvin check at MSG

* Both players paved the way for other Swedish/European players to  leave Europe and play in the Rugged WHA and NHL 

In Episode #6 we look back at one of the most skilled and exciting offensive players ever drafted by the Rangers.....number 9 "Nifty" Ricky Middleton

*Drafted by the Rangers with the 14th selection of the first round during the 1973 NHL Amateur Draft. 

* Played with the Oshawa Generals and led his league in scoring with 67 goals and 70 assists for 137 points.

*Earned "Rookie of the Year" honors and AHL First Team All-Star with the Rangers top farm team in Providence during the 1973-74 season with 36 goals and 84 points.

* Made the Rangers during the 1974-75 season and scored 22 goals in an injury shortened 47 games .

*Scored 24 goals in his sophomore  season with the Blue Shirts

* His skills and ability to "Dangle the Puck" were compared with Dennis Savard and Pavel Datsyuk.

*Quick and Shifty.....Deceptive....incredible stick handler....magician...fearless....could change up the speed and release of his wrist and slap shot.

*Traded to the Bruins for Ken Hodge in one of the most lopsided deals in NHL History.

* Scored a "Hat Trick" in hist first game as a Bruin

*Appeared in 3 NHL All Star Games

* Appeared in 3 Stanley Cup Final with the Bruins 1n 1976,1977 and 1988.

*Appeared in Two Canada Cups

* Lady Byng award in 1981-82

*Teamed up with one of the Greatest Centers in Bruins history in Barry Peterson

*NHL record for most points in one playoff series (19)

* 5 straight seasons with over 40 goals including 51 in 1981-82

* Retired in 1988 with 448 goals and 540 assists for 988 points in 1005 games.

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's, 70's and 80's.

In Episode #5 we look back at the greatest Rangers defenseman in franchise history and one of the best to ever play in the NHL.....number 2 Brad Park.

*Rangers first round draft pick in 1966 ....2nd overall

*Played for the Rangers from 1968-1975

* One of the NHL's  top 100 players in History

* Rangers Team Captain 1974-75

*Set Rangers goal scoring record for a defenseman with 25 goals in 1973-74

*6 2nd place finishes for the Norris Trophy ( NHL Best Defenseman)

*5 time First Team All Star

* 2 time Second Team All Star

* First Ballot Hall of Fame

*Bill Masterson Trophy winner 1984 ( Dedication and Perseverance)

*Brash and  Physical

*Great Stickhandler

*Devastating Hip Checker 

Appeared in the playoffs 17 straight seasons with the Rangers, Bruins and Red Wings

* Appeared in 3 Stanley Cup finals

* Involved in one of the biggest "Blockbuster trades in NHL history.

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers in the 60's 70's and 80's.

In episode # 4 we look back at # 16 Mark Pavelich

* One of the leaders of the Gold Medal winning 1980 USA Hockey Team

*Assisted on Mike Eruzione's winning goal to defeat the Russian Olympic team in 1980

* played 5 seasons for the Rangers from 1981-1986

* Ranks # 83 in the Top 100 Rangers list

* Tough, clutch and skilled goal scorer and playmaking Center

* Established a Rangers "Rookie" scoring record in 1981-82 with 76 points

*Team MVP in 1982-83 season while scoring a career high of 37 goals

* Team leader in scoring with 82 points in 1983-84

*Set a franchise record with 5 goals at home against the Hartford Whalers in February 1983

* Along with the rest of his "smirf" teammates on the Rangers they defeated the bigger , stronger and heavily favored Philadelphia Flyers during the 1982 and 1983 playoffs

A nostalgic look back at my favorite hockey heroes and legends who wore the red, white and blue for the Rangers during the 60's 70's and 80's.

In Episode # 3 we look back at one of the Greatest Power forwards and best fighter in Franchise history despite a short career with the Rangers.....number 25 Orland Kurtenbach

* Prolific junior and minor league player who demonsrtated Skill, Leadership and toughness at every level

*Big, Strong, Gritty, tough and Rangy Center who played for the Rangers during the 60-61,66-67,67-68,68-69 and 69-70 seasons

*Earned the Reputation as the NHL's best fighter with the "Fastest Fists" 

* When healthy and during the mid 60's he was one of the best Power Forwards in the NHL.

* Scored 25 goals and 71 Pts for the Rangers during the 66-67 and 67-68 seasons.

*Selected as the first Captain in Canucks history from 1970-1974

* Scored 46 goals his first two seasons with the Canucks

*Became Head Coach of the Canucks for the 1976-77 Season