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RYE, N.Y. While some families enjoyed Presidents Day by relaxing at home, hundreds went to skate with New York Rangers hockey legends, Ron Greschner and Adam Graves, at the Rye Playland Ice Casino in an event put on by the Rangers and Chase Bank.
Pumped up fans of the first place 38-14-5 Rangers the team leads the Boston Bruins by nine points in the Eastern Conference had the opportunity to skate with and get autographs from Greschner and Graves.
Its amazing to be with the greats of the Rangers going as far back as Greschner, when I was like 10 watching him play, and now with Graves, as he brought us the Stanley Cup, said Marc Adamek, who came to the event with his sons, Matthias, 13, and Marcus, 10. Youve got legends from two different decades. It just makes it that much more fun.
Greschner, a Ranger from 1974 until 1990, said the event was enjoyable thanks in large part to the level of dedication from hockey fans. You get a lot of people who come out its amazing the different ethnic backgrounds and all of the stuff that youve seen on the ice, all of the good times, Greschner said. The former defenseman said he enjoyed skating with and talking to all of his fans throughout the day.
Graves, the former left wing whose No. 9 jersey was retired by the Rangers in 2009, was thrilled with the turnout and called the day a celebration of hockey and the passion that we all share.
Hockey is always at its best at the grassroots level, he said. You see all the kids out here with their families whether its mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, boys, girls. Im pleased for every age level that people just have to either a) be lucky enough to see the progress or b) pick up a stick and actually try it."
Matthias and Marcus Adamek skated and received autographs from the two former Rangers, but said they were also thinking about the current team.
Theyve been really good, Matthias said about this years roster.
The two former Rangers echoed the young fans sentiment.
Greschner said he loved the event and commended the Rangers and Chase for supporting it. He praised this seasons Rangers squad and said they were an exceptionally good team with good goaltending, defense and coaching. He said he thinks they should be able to get straight to the Stanley Cup Finals and thought that goaltender Henrik Lundqvist should win the Vezina Trophy in addition to the MVP this year.
Graves said this years Rangers identity is one that we all respect and anyone that has ever worn a Rangers jersey looks at that team with a great amount of pride because they play the game the right way and you wish them only the best. He was happy to see the team performing like they have been with a young roster.
I think hockey is one of the few sports where everybody can participate, Greschner said. Skating is a whole other level for everybody, but you see all of the people come out and have a good time. Ive been out of the game for 22 years almost and I love it. I love the people, I love the fans. Im still a big Ranger fan.
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