There were five pillars of Emile Francis’ beloved teams of the late ’60s and early ’70s that laid the foundation for the modern era of Rangers hockey. Five who, with the Cat, elevated the franchise following decades of disrepute.
They are Eddie Giacomin, Brad Park, Vic Hadfield, Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert, and everybody knows it. But just four are memorialized within the World’s Most Famous Arena. The absence of one (or is that 2?) makes the heart grow fonder each and every year.
It not only gets later every year, but it gets later earlier for this generation. I know what I am talking about.
So, following this Thanksgiving weekend, the best way for the Rangers to thank generations of their fans would be to finally do the right thing and announce that No. 2 will be raised to the Garden’s pinwheel ceiling for a second time, and this time in honor of Park.
This is not about sentiment alone. This is about righting a wrong that has festered far too long. This is about recognizing the second-greatest defenseman in the franchise’s 97-season history. This about honoring the only Ranger to make the NHL’s postseason first all-star team three times since the league first expanded in 1967-68.
Why on earth has this taken so long?
There is only one argument against Park and that is that the now 75-year-old played just 465 games wearing the Blueshirt, 36 fewer than he did wearing the hated spoked-B. As if that were his fault. As if Park traded himself to Boston on Nov. 7, 1975, with Ratelle. As if, as he told me a couple of years ago, he did not cry when he heard the news.
He played seven full seasons for the Rangers in which the team advanced to the Cup semis three times and the finals once. He made the first all-star team in 1970, 1972 and 1974 while named to the second team in 1971 and 1973. He was runner-up for the Norris four times, in 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1974 while placing third in 1973.
I’ve written this before. I know that. I have written this more than once, I know that, too. But right is right. And, for some mysterious reason, the hierarchy continues to be on the wrong side of history here concerning this defenseman who was named one of the NHL’s Greatest 100 Players in 2017.
And yes, his work in Boston was exemplary in featuring another two first-team All-Star designations and a pair of second-place finishes for the Norris. But Park was named as one the Greatest 100 primarily because of his work on Broadway, during which he excelled at both ends of the ice with a blend of power and finesse.
With flair.
The Rangers will celebrate their centennial season in three years. Preliminary plans are being drawn by folks in the organization who care about the team’s heritage as much as those of us from way back when with G.O. cards who have survived the side balcony and the fire escapes at the Old Garden and are graduates of the Original Blue Seats that preceded the renovation at the current site.
There surely are discussions to be had about how to honor Founding Fathers Frank Boucher, Bill Cook, Lester Patrick and the next generation legend Bryan Hextall. There is a conversation about the franchise should recognize Ron Greschner. If the team creates a Hall of Fame or Ring of Honor, the question is whether Emile becomes the first honoree.
But the time for debate regarding Brad Park should be over. The Era of Emile was highlighted by five charismatic stars. Giacomin’s No. 1 is retired. Gilbert’s No. 7 hangs from the top of the building. So do Hadfield’s No. 11 and Ratelle’s 19. It is time for Park’s No. 2 to join his band of hockey brothers.
It is time.
And it is the right thing to do.
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