Ranger Rants

Monday, May 30, 2011

Del Zotto: “Never been so motivated”

A couple of weeks ago, I posted some excerpts from a phone interview I did with defenseman Michael Del Zotto.

It was supposed to be a teaser for the accompanying article. However, due to some space considerations within the sports section, that article didn’t find a spot in print until today’s edition of The Record.

Here’s the link to the article.

Meanwhile, hoping everybody is enjoying this holiday weekend while, at the same time, not forgetting why we enjoy the freedom to spend an extra day off with our loved ones. So thank you to all those service members and their families who sacrificed for all of us.
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Friday, May 27, 2011

Garden renovation update

OK, so I just spent a few minutes trying to figure out how to post a picture into this blog. I know other blogs do it. I know other reporters at The Record know how to post photos on their North Jersey blogs. I can’t seem to do it. Our paper did run a good picture of the ongoing renovation work at Madison Square Garden and I wanted to make it easy for everybody by just posting the photo. No can do.

Luckily, it wasn’t just a photo, but a photo and article

Here’s the accompanying article from today’s Record, written by John Brennan, who does a great job on the busy beat of keeping up with arena finances and construction, what with all the news at the Meadowlands (Xanadu), the new arena in Brooklyn and the work at the Garden.

If you click on the photo, that will enlarge it.

As you can see, the lower bowl, as promised will look a whole lot different when the Garden finally does re-open for business, sometime around Halloween.
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Saturday, May 21, 2011

Christensen remembers Boogaard

Erik Christensen was one of an estimated 35 members of the Rangers organization to attend Derek Boogaard’s funeral today in Regina, Saskatchewan.

Christensen, speaking by cell phone before flying back home to Edmonton, said he was impressed the funeral service, which lasted nearly 90 minutes.

“To be honest, I haven’t been to a service like this since I was very little,” Christensen said. “It was sad. I didn’t get a chance to know Boogey like a lot of other people did. There were a lot of the guys on the team, a lot of the Wild players were there. Obviously his family. We just got to see the person that some of us didn’t get to know. Some of the speeches were nice, touching and sad at the same time. Obviously, it was a somber kind of day. You kind of walk out of the place and feel a little sad.”

For more on Boogaard’s funeral, click here for The Canadian Press account as listed on TSN.ca.
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Funeral held for Boogaard

According to a Canadian Press report, “hundreds” attended a private funeral earlier today for Derek Boogaard in Regina, Saskatchewan at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Depot.

Rain was falling as mourners entered and exited the chapel.

The report said Boogaard, 28 when he was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment on May 13, a death the medical examiner’s office ruled yesterday an accident from mixing alcohol and and the powerful and addictive painkiller oxycodone, was remembered for his passion for both life and hockey.

The report added that Rangers scout Doug Risebrough, a former general manager and executive with the Wild, Boogaard’s first NHL team, said while opponents feared Boogaard on the ice, they liked being around him off the ice because of his love of life.

AP PHOTO
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Avery gave Boogaard advice

As you can read here, Sean Avery told me yesterday he had spoken to Derek Boogaard about the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program, which Boogaard was in when he passed away last Friday at age 28.

Avery, as he mentioned, “We all know why I was in it,” participated in the voluntary program for reasons other than substance abuse.

As quoted in the article, Avery said “I know it was something Derek went away to try, something he wanted to address. Everyone was sort of behind him in doing it. I had spoken to him a little bit about it.”

Asked about what he gained from being Boogaard’s teammate for a season, Avery said, “I’m always going to remember him as a friend and as a teammate. It will be one of those things that I keep close to me. Actually, I was just looking at a backpack he got a bunch of guys from the National Guard with their names on it. I was looking at it this morning.”

Avery was one of the players who boarded the team charter this morning at 6 a.m. in New York to fly to Regina, Saskatchewan for today’s funeral.
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Friday, May 20, 2011

Statement from Boogaard’s family

Via the NHLPA, the family of the late Derek Boogaard issued this statement a few hours after Boogaard’s death was ruled an accident due to mixing alcohol and oxycodone:

“We would like to express our appreciation for the outpouring of love and support for our family during this difficult period as we grieve the loss of Derek – our son and brother.  We are deeply saddened by this unimaginable loss, but we are grateful for the expression of support that has given us strength as we go through this tragic time.

It is very comforting for our family to know that, while Derek’s life was far too short, he had a great impact on many people who he came into contact with.  We are proud that Derek was able to live his boyhood dream to play in the National Hockey League. We are even more proud of the fact that Derek was dedicated to making a difference in his adopted communities of Minnesota and New York City, through his countless hours of charitable work. 

Earlier today, we received the results of Derek’s toxicology report at the time of his accidental death.  After repeated courageous attempts at rehabilitation and with the full support of the New York Rangers, the NHLPA, and the NHL, Derek had been showing tremendous improvement but was ultimately unable to beat this opponent.  While he played and lived with pain for many years, his passion for the game, his teammates, and his community work was unstoppable.

Our family would like to like to thank the New York Rangers, the Minnesota Wild, the National Hockey League Players’ Association, and the National Hockey League for supporting Derek’s continued efforts in his battle.

Derek will be greatly missed and will never be forgotten by his fans, friends, and teammates, and especially by us – his family. We respectfully ask for continued privacy as we grieve the loss of Derek.”
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Boogaard’s death ruled an accident

The Hennepin County (Minn.) Medical Examiner ruled earlier today that Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard death was an accident and resulted from mixing alcohol and oxycodone.

Boogaard, 28, was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment last Friday and an autopsy was performed the next day.

His funeral will be Saturday in Regina, Saskatchewan. About 35 members of the Rangers – executives, coaches, players trainers and other support staff – are expected to attend. The team has chartered two flights, one from New York and one from California, where the team conducted its organization meetings this week in La Quinta.

Coach John Tortorella recently had knee replacement surgery and is still restricted from traveling so he will not be able to attend.

The 6-foot-8, 265-pound Boogaard played just 22 games in his first season with the Rangers as he suffered a season-ending concussion in a fight with the Senators’ Matt Carkner on Dec. 9.

Boogaard spent his first five seasons with the Wild.

Oxycodone is a powerful painkiller that can be addictive and has been blamed in other overdose deaths.

Boogaard was reportedly participating in the NHL/NHLPA Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program prior to his passing. His family donated his brain to Boston University researchers studying brain injuries and head traumas in athletes.

The Medical Examiner’s office said no other data will be released regarding Boogaard.
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Rangers sign G Stajcer

Goalie Scott Stajcer, 19, the Rangers’ fifth-round pick in the 2009 draft, has agreed to terms on his first professional contract.

Stajcer will play for the Memorial Cup after backstopping Owen Sound to the OHL title, a good bounce-back after an injury-plagued season.

Click below for the Rangers’ release on Stajcer, who the organization is pretty high on. Very amiable and low key.
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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Rangers sign Thomas

The Rangers announced they have come to terms with right wing Christian Thomas, their second-round pick in the 2010 NHL Draft.

Thomas turns 19 next Thursday and could still be sent back to his junior club, Oshawa (OHL) before he plays 10 NHL games.

Thomas, of course, is the son of former Islander and Devil (and Maple Leaf and Blackhawk) Steve Thomas. Funny Steve Thomas story. Think one of the first NHL games I covered was a Devils-Flyers game, believe it was in the ‘95-‘96 season. In that game, Thomas got into a pretty nasty fight against Phil Crowe, who, at 6-foot-2, 220-pounds was considerably larger than the 5-11, 185-pound Thomas. Well, Thomas was pretty well pounded by the bigger man, though it was competitive.

So I go into the Devils’ dressing room after the game and Thomas had a group of reporters around him. And what an education for me because, if I had had the snot beaten out of me, I would have been pretty upset. Not Thomas. One of the reporters asked him, and I’m paraphrasing, “Steve, what the hell?” as in, why are you taking on such a bigger guy (guess the same question could routinely be asked of Brandon Prust). And Thomas just broke into a wide grin and started laughing, saying, yeah, Clowe did get him pretty good. No hard feelings, though.

Click below for the Rangers’ release on Christian Thomas.
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Catching up with Del Zotto

Had the chance today to chat with defenseman Michael Del Zotto, who’s back home in Stouffville, Ontario where he is recovering from a broken finger that ended his regular season on March 2 and a sports hernia operation on May 3.

Del Zotto said he went into the offseason as motivated as he’s ever been in his life to prove himself once next season begins. Del Zotto, who turns 21 next month, split last season between the Rangers and Connecticut (AHL) after a strong rookie season.

“My finger is still healing, it’s been almost 12 weeks, hopefully it’ll be good to go in another week and a half,” Del Zotto said. “The hernia surgery went well, it’ll take 3-4 weeks to heal up. I’m doing some cardio stuff, no lifting but I’m getting back into a routine and getting a workout. It kind of put an exclamation point on how the year went. It was a tough one. I learned a lot physically and mentally. I learned a lot about how I have to play to stick with New York. The biggest thing is, no matter what, keeping that confidence. I know I can help this team. I’m confident of my ability and what I can do on the ice. I have to have that mindset.”
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