Morphin' Rangers...

Andy Bathgate
2011-12 O-Pee-Chee #516

Taking a look at cards of the New York Rangers. Some of them are new to my collection, others I've had for a while.

I believe that jersey number 9 is now retired by every single one of the Original Six teams.

The New York Rangers have actually honored two players under that digit:
Andy Bathgate & Adam Graves, both in 2009.

Note the Rangers logo used from 1967-1971.

Pavel Bure
2002-03 O-Pee-Chee #16

Before number 9 was retired it was briefly worn by Hall of Famer Pavel Bure, who was with the NYR from 2002-2003.

Bure must have chosen 9, as number 10 was occupied by Sandy McCarthy.


Eric Lindros and Sandy McCarthy are visible on the bench in this snapshot.

Ed Giacomin
1991-92 Ultimate Original Six #20

Another retired NYR number is the oldschool goalie jersey number 1.

Eddie Giacomin was the Rangers goaltender for a decade (1966-1976).

His was the second Ranger number to be retired (after Rod Gilbert's number 7).

Chuck Rayner
2003-04 Parkhurst Original Six New York #87

Jersey number 1 was also worn by Chuck Rayner, the Rangers starting goaltender for 7 seasons (1945-1953). Won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1949-50, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.

Note the even older Rangers logo used from 1936-1947.

Ron Duguay
1982-83 O-Pee-Chee #221

I kinda thought it was only for a short while, but the Rangers had "New York" on their blue road uniforms for almost a decade (1978-1987). Their white home uniforms still had the word "Rangers".

Brian Leetch
1999-00 O-Pee-Chee #30

The popular blue Statue of Liberty jerseys were first introduced in 1996. A white version was also briefly worn during 1998-99.

In the 1999-00 O-Pee-Chee set, both Brian Leetch and Peter Nedved are depicted wearing this jersey.

Brian Leetch's number 2 jersey was also retired by the Rangers in 2008.

Ron Francis (1982-83 O-Pee-Chee #123)

Ron Francis
(82-83 O-Pee-Chee #123)

1982-83 O-Pee-Chee
(Total Cards: 396)

While I don't own any vintage sets, this card of Ron Francis is probably the oldest one in my collection.

It's unusual for a centerman to wear number 4. The only ones I can think of offhand are Jean Beliveau and Vincent Lecavalier.

Ronnie Francis would of course go on to wear number 10 for most of his career.

(Other hall of famers wearing number 10 include Guy Lafleur and Dale Hawerchuk)

When he joined the Pittsburgh Penguins, he wore 9 for a season as 10 was occupied by Barry Pederson.

(82-83 O-Pee-Chee #123 Card Back)

Grant Fuhr
1992-93 OPC
Anniversary Series #15

Another notable rookie this year was Grant Fuhr (1982-83 O-Pee-Chee #105). Since I'll probably never actually own a Grant Fuhr Rookie Card , I'll have to settle for a reprinted version.

Grant Fuhr is best known for wearing number 31 during most of his NHL seasons, but here we see that he wore number 1 at the start of his career.

But what's with the marital status updates on the back of the cards?

"Ron is a bachelor... Grant is a Bachelor..."

Maybe guys back then needed some help getting attention from classy ladies...
Fortunately, today's girls are much more open and have subtle ways of letting players know when they're interested...

It seems that professional athletes have rock star status and can enjoy a different girl every night...