While Billy Joel, Harry Styles and Fish have banners from the rafters at Madison Square Garden, there's still nothing honoring former Rangers and NHL Hall of Famer Brad Park.
Of course, Billy Joel is the legendary songwriter who lives long at the Garden. His music will be remembered for generations. But while writing this paragraph, I already forgot the other two actions.
Park was also a longtime resident of the Garden, playing 465 games over eight seasons as a Ranger, and since the 20-year-old defenseman made his debut in 1968, he has given a generation of fans hope for the future.
Puck was tough and smart. He could skate, control the puck and shoot quickly and accurately from the point. Often compared to the incomparable Robert Gordon Orr, Douglas Bradford Park was a dynamic player in his own right. Whether it was a dribble across the red line or a shot across the crease, he made things happen and you couldn't take your eyes off him.
Puck was the first true blueshirt offensive defenseman of the Emile Francis era. He led the Rangers in points, assists and penalties in 1973-74 and shared the lead in points (with Pete Stemkowski) and assists (with Dale Rolfe) in the 1974 playoffs.
He also retired every quarterback from 1969 to 1970 until he retired in 1975. Overall, he had 95 goals and 283 goals in the regular season, and another 12 goals and 32 goals in 64 playoff games for the Rangers.
Park was named team captain in 1974 and made five All-Star appearances. He played a key role on Team Canada in 1972, was named the Rangers MVP and won the Frank Bush Award as the team's most popular player in the 1973-74 season. Emile Francis once said Pac was the best quarterback he ever had.
Puck's career with the Rangers ended in November 1975 when he was traded to the Bruins for Jean Rotel and Joe Zanussi along with Phil Esposito and Carroll Vadneis in a successful trade designed to shake up both clubs. He then played eight more seasons in Boston before retiring in Detroit. But as Frank Boucher often said, "Once a Ranger, always a Ranger."
Brad Park deserves the flags on the park rays just as much as his teammates Rod Gilbert, Ed Giacomin, Jean Ratel, Vic Hadfield and Harry Howell, not only for what they meant to the Rangers on the ice, but what he meant. supporters in the stands.
He deserves respect even among his peers, and unfortunately that window is closing fast. We've already lost Emile Francis and Rod Gilbert, and Father Time is now catching up with some of his teammates.
The Rangers need to give Park credit NOW, and if not NOW, the question becomes WHY NOT.
