Happy Saturday everyone! It’s very exciting to get this piece live on the site as it has been weeks in the making and received contributions from several “friends” of the site. The genesis of this article came out of the question “what makes being a Ranger fan special?” All of this was in the interest of having fun, even the more negative answers can serve a therapeutic purpose for us all. I hope that this evokes some good memories for all of you reading out there and perhaps creates some common ground between you and our respondents. We’ll kick things off with my response before going question by question with a mix of answers we were given for each one. I want to stress that if you do not see your answer on every question that was not because any answers were deemed unfit for the piece. We are simply trying to provide a mix of all our respondents and include some of more detailed ones in certain situations. Before we get going, I do just want to thank everyone who answered as without them this couldn’t develop into finished product you have here. With all that said, let’s get it started!

Nick’s Answers

Your First Game, opponent, and result

October 15, 2010 @ MSG against Maple Leafs. Lost 4-3 in Overtime

What made you become a fan?

My mom made me a fan as I hit my teen years, but the real passion started while watching Henrik Lundqvist’s consistent brilliance.

Favorite Ranger of all time

Hank

Least favorite Ranger of all time

Enver Lisin

Favorite current Ranger

Chris Kreider

Favorite thing about the Garden

The historical aspect of the Garden and how all games played there feel important.

Best game you have ever been to

Penguins @ Rangers Game 5 2022 first round series, Rangers rally to win the game & the series

Favorite moment in NYR history

Winning Eastern Conference in 2014

An NYR moment that broke You

Ryan Strome missed open net in 2022 in game 5 against the lightning (sat in the dark for several hours following that miss)

Favorite Sam Rosen saying or quirk

“Oh Joe”

Most random jersey you own

Kevin Shattenkirk Home Jersey

Favorite piece of Rangers memorabilia

Picture of Kreider colliding with Price signed by Kreider

Most hated Ranger rival (player/team)

Penguins/Sidney Crosby

The Respondents

Now that you’ve heard from me, let’s hear from you! We got some really terrific responses so thank you to all of you for that. I’d like to give a special shoutout to our friends at the Rangers Ed. Podcast, who we’ll be working with again on some more fun projects going forward. I would also like to thank my family and friends who comprised the rest of respondents, you’re support and being a part of the wider Ranger family is one of my favorite things in my life.

You First Game, Opponent, and Result

“Bruins vs Rangers in the 1950s, the Rangers lost in overtime” – My Grandfather

“Rangers vs Tampa 2/14/2010. Avery had a penalty shot goal and we won 5-2” – Jarred

“Rangers vs Northstars 1993, not sure of the score but the Rangers won” – John

“I went to many games with my dad before I can even remember. The first game I remember being at, Bernie Nicholls gave me a puck during a warmups.” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

What made you become a fan?

“The exciting 1992 season and playoffs” – My Dad

“My grandfather grew up in Brooklyn so naturally he was a Rangers fan and a Dodgers fan. Dodgers left after they won a World Series so he grew a hatred for baseball. He couldn’t root for the Yankees so he became a Mets fan after some time away from baseball. Rangers were always there for him thru thick and thin!  So, my love of the Rangers and Mets have been passed down from generation to generation.” – Danny

“My dad. He would watch every game religiously and I would always watch with him.” – Mikey Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“My dad would listen to rangers on transistor radio and me and my brother would hear the MSG cheers” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Favorite Ranger of All Time

“The King himself, Henrik Lundqvist” – Mikey Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Jean Rattelle” – My Grandfather

“Kovalev” – John

“Jagr – his story is intriguing and kind of funny in an ironic way” – Briana

“Rick Nash” – Danny

“Hard to pick between 2. Ryan McDonagh and Chris Kreider” – Mike S

“Phil Esposito” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Least Favorite Ranger of All Time

“Bryan Trottier…he definitely tried to sabotage us during his brief coaching stint. Honorable mention to Lias Andersson too” – Mike F

“The Aircraft carrier himself, Julian Gauthier” – Anthony F

“Lias Anderson and Mike Allison (the player espo retired for to give the roster spot to)” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“I root for all the players, but probably the most difficult one to root for was Wade Redden” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Kravtsov, a lil recency bias but nothing else comes to mind” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Favorite Current Ranger

“Mika Zibanejad” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Jacob Trouba and Alexis Lafreniere” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Adam Fox – he’s living the dream we all had as kids!” – Mike F

“Alexis Lafreniere” – Danny

“Filip Chytil. Hopefully we see 72 on the ice again soon” – Mike S

“Temi!!! The bread man is the best!” – Briana

Favorite Thing About the Garden

“Everything. It’s home…”Where would you rather be?!” as Steven McDonald would say” – Mike F

“A rousing garden standing ovation at the end of a great performance” – Mike S

“The garden is the Mecca, no louder place” – John

“The goal song, hearing everyone in the garden chant the goal song is incredible” – Mikey Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“being there for playoff atmosphere , especially enjoying wins with my kids” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Best Game You Have Ever Been To

“Other than 2014 playoff games, recently went to the game they tied very late and won in OT vs Dallas. My friend invited me to the game, and we had access to the delta club and all the free food and beverages. Being at that game was exciting enough, but also having that access was real” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“the ‘94 Cup, obviously. I was 8. As an adult it would probably be the St Louis goal v Montreal in ‘14 or the Stepan winner in Game 7 OT in ‘15” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“game 7 vs devils 1994” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Rangers vs Islanders stadium series at Yankee Stadium 2014. Fantastic experience” – Mikey Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Lundqvist jersey retirement ceremony” – Jarred

“I saw THAT Marek Malik shootout goal in person” – Mike S

“January 1st, 2018. Winter classic at Citi Field when the Rangers won 3-2 from an OT goal from JT Miller assisted by Zucc. Or when the Rangers beat Carolina 5-2 in game 6 of the playoffs at MSG in 2022. Tough choice” – Danny

Favorite Moment in NYR History

“the ‘94 Cup, obviously. I was 8. As an adult it would probably be the St Louis goal v Montreal in ‘14 or the Stepan winner in Game 7 OT in ‘15” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“the ‘94 Cup, I was 4. I remember popped champagne on my dads porch and seeing the cork fly across the street. As an adult it would probably be the Lundqvist save to keep them in the game 6 shutout Vs. Montreal in 2014” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Even tho I was only 3 years old it has to be winning the Stanley Cup, I have so many pictures of my dad holding me up celebrating” – Mikey Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“before my life is 1994. My lifetime was winning the conference in 2014” – Jarred

“Retiring Henrik Lundqvist jersey number” – Danny

An NYR Moment That Broke You

“Game 7, 2015 shutout loss at home to go to the finals. That was their year, and they choked.” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“A battered Rangers team losing Game 7 to Tampa in 2015 ECF (end of Lundqvist’s cup window)” – Mike F

“Alec Martinez. And we all get reminded of it in every playoff commercial for the rest of time.” – Mike S

“wasn’t a specific moment but just the way they got bad around 98” – John

“There were many – especially anytime we lost to Crosby” – My Grandfather’

“Trading Brian Leetch. I remember being a kid and lying in bed and seeing it go across the bottom ticker on Sportscenter. I couldn’t believe my eyes and wanted to cry. I might have cried.” – Little Ed of “Game 7, 2015 shutout loss at home to go to the finals. That was their year, and they choked.” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“The rangers letting go of Henrik and him signing in Washington was not a fun time.” – Mikey Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Favorite Sam Rosen Saying or Quirk

“Partially Blocked” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

 “You know Joe…” also his undefeated Rangers trivia knowledge – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Those aren’t boos those are Zuccs!” – Mike S

“My apologies, Joe” after making a mistake on-air” – Mike F

“That’s right Joe!” – Danny

“The long reach of K’Andre miller” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“It HAS to be “ITS A POWER PLAY GOAL” – Anthony

Most Random Jersey You Own

“Believe it or not, I have a Gibril Wilson Giants jersey. I also have a Gretzky jersey from Edmonton, La, St Louis, and the Rangers. I always get compliments on the Blues Gretzky jersey.” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Most random I owned was Pavel Bure” – John

“Clark Griswold-Blackhawks” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“All my jerseys are of great players but if I had to pick one Ryan Reaves” – Mike Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Favorite Piece of Rangers Memorabelia

“Vic Hadfield stick” – Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“A singed restaurant menu from Mark Messier” – Mike Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“At the Lundqvist hall of fame induction, I won the silent auction for a framed piece of art with his HOF plaque photo and his career stats. 6 of them were made, Henrik signed all of them.” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Richter jersey from 2012 winter classic he wore in the Messier leadership camp and signed” – Jarred

“Framed picture of Mike Richter autographed by the man himself.” – Mike S

“KISS (the band) Rangers Puck” – My Dad

“All of the Rally Towels and T-Shirts for all the games I attended during the 2022 playoffs” – Mike F

“Shirt signed by the team on blue carpet” – Anthony

“Wayne Gretzky’s wooden stick that my aunt got from the equipment manager after the game. No authenticity but none needed for me. Has his name on it and everything.” – Danny

“This is too difficult. I have way too much memorabilia. So, I’ll just say my Gretzky autographed Rangers patch.” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Most Hated Ranger Rival (Player/Team)

“The devils. And either Hughes brother lol” – Briana

“Player: Martin Brodeur. Team: Islanders” – Cousin Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Tom Wilson as the most hated player and of course the Devils as the most hated team.” – Danny

“I cannot stand Dougie Hamilton” – Anthony

“Player: Brodeur Team: Devils” – Mike F

“Bruins – Brad “The Gnome” Marchand” – My Dad

“Alex Ovechkin. So many wars with the Capitals in the playoffs. My hate for him is the ultimate sign of respect.” – Mike S

“Flyers, Lindros” – John

“Crybaby Crosby and the Penguins” – My Grandfather

“Player: Brendan Gallagher Team: Devils” – Little Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Player – Tom Wilson and Team – Islanders (I just can’t stand losing to them and dealing with Islander fans)” – Mike Producies of The Rangers Ed Podcast

“Player: Brian Trottier, NY Islanders, living thru 4 straight cups” - Coach Ed of The Rangers Ed Podcast

Wrapping Up

As we wrap things up here, I again want to thank all of the respondents. This was a blast and I hope you enjoyed learned about each other’s fan history while reading it. We will have a few collaborations with the Rangers Ed Podcast crew coming up and be on the lookout for a Nights on Broadway Recap next week when the Rangers go on the bye. Here’s to making new memories and finding new keepsakes this spring! You can find me on Twitter @YNWA9623 and subscribe to the site by hitting the follow button in the bottom right corner and entering your email address. We’ll be back with more soon!