This evening’s Ranger Fan Forum at the Manhattan Center was far different from the forums last year that featured a smirking, wisecracking Scott Gomez jumping in on everyone’s questions. This time around there was still some good natured kidding among the boys. But for the most part, they answered the fans questions and showed what charming young men they are in the process.

Here’s what we learned. Mark Staal loves to sleep. Brian Boyle is a Boston boy who has 12 siblings and is Black Irish.  Ryan Callahan chose junior hockey because colleges were not banging down his door. Enver Lisin is a sweet young man working to overcome the language barrier and is happy to be in New York playing with Marian Gaborik.  Henrik Lundqvist’s sister thinks he needs to be meaner and lash out at guys who try to run him.

The questions and comments from the audience ranged from germaine to deranged. For example, someone asked why no Ranger retaliated against Glencross’ dirty hit on Drury or the mutiple runnings of Henrik Lundqvist.  I asked if Sam Rosen could get some old tapes of Billy Smith to show Henrik. I told Henrik he needs to get meaner and if Tortorella had a problem with that to tell him Mrs. Hurley said it was okay.

Some tool of a Yankee fan got up and suggested that Tortorella show the Rangers the Yankee ticker tape parade. I was wondering how long it would take for the inevitable rubbing of the Ranger’s noses in the Yankee’s success, ala Mike Keenan in ‘93. I guess this guy didn’t get the memo that the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy in sports to win and that hockey players are 100 times better athletes then baseball players. He also forgot that, unlike the Yankees,  the Rangers have stopped trying to BUY a team.  They are  finally endeavoring to develop a team from within, with their youth.

The forum served to remind the fans in attendance that this is a team of youngsters who are a work in progress. They need our patience and support so they can succeed down the road. Messages about heart and soul don’t need to be sent with a sledge hammer, at least not to the boys there tonight. They absolutely get it.

Posted under New York Rangers