N.Y. Rangers: Jean Ratelle Honor Is Long Overdue

From the desk of:  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS..!!

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336 Goals ~ 481 Assists ~ 817 Points

Career: 491 Goals ~ 776 Assists ~ 1,267 Points
ELECTED to HALL OF FAME: 1985

RANGERS ALL-TIME LISTS

Games Played: 6th

Goals: 2nd

Assists: 3rd

Points: 3rd

Plus/Minus: 4th

NEW YORK RANGERS: Jean Ratelle Finally Getting Sweater Hoisted to the Rafters Alongside Blueshirt Greats.

Jean Ratelle was a member of the famous GAG line (Goal a Game line) featuring Rod Gilbert, Vic Hadfield, and Ratelle at center. 

He recorded six hat tricks during his Rangers career.  In 1971-1972 Ratelle slashed 46/63/109, while leading the NHL with 40 even strength goals, and a 25.1 shot percentage.

I only saw Jean Ratelle play for the Rangers during his final season with the club.  In 1975, he and Brad Park were famously traded to the Boston Bruins.  This occurred shortly after the Rangers parted ways with the great Eddie Giacomin. 

Had I been a little older at the time, I'm sure I would have gotten upset over the situation.

Then again, maybe not.

Jean Ratelle was 35-years old at the time of the trade.  Perhaps the Rangers front office (The Cat) did the right thing.  As a kid, I nevertheless knew this was a huge deal.  After which, I continued becoming only somewhat familiar with Vic Hadfield, and a little more so with Rod Gilbert, whom retired after the 1977-1978 season.  By then I had finally become a full blown, albeit still young Rangers fan.  In exchange for Ratelle and Park, the Rangers received Phil Esposito and Carol Vadnais.  And it was those ensuing Rangers of the mid to late 1970s featuring Espo, Ron Greschner, John Davidson, Nick Fotiu, Don Murdoch, Walt Tkaczuk, Dave Maloney, Ron Duguay, et al, that I first became hopelessly passionate about.

Jean Ratelle is the ninth player to have his sweater retired by the Rangers, but only the eighth number being hoisted up to the rafters.  The number nine is retired in honor of both Adam Graves and Andy Bathgate.

And for that, I must digress ...

... because the Rangers have gotten this all wrong.  And believe it or not, for a change it's not Jim Dolan's fault.  The sweaters of Harry Howell (3), Andy Bathgate (9), and Jean Ratelle (19), all should have been retired by previous owners long ago - certainly before those of Mark Messier (11), Mike Richter (31), Brian Leetch (2), and Adam Graves (9).

Blame Sonny Werblin, or Gulf+Western, or Paramount, or ITT Corp., or whomever.

This honor is long overdue.

When Will The Rangers Finally 

Raise Ron Greschner's Jersey 

Among The Greats?