One of great debates for fans of any team is who is the best player to wear that jersey number. As a diehard New York Rangers fan, I ask that question to myself whenever a new player receives their number. This is part four of a ten-part series of who I believe are the greatest all-time New York Rangers by jersey number. Today I discuss numbers 60-69. If you missed Part 1 (#90-99), Part 2 (#80-89), or Part 3 (#70-79) check out the links below!
Greatest All-Time New York Rangers by Jersey Number (Part 1: 90-99) – NHL Belly Up Sports
Greatest All-Time New York Rangers by Jersey Number (Part 2: 80-89) – Belly Up Sports
/Greatest All-Time New York Rangers by Jersey Number (Part 3: 70-79) – Belly Up Sports
Number 69: None
The Rangers have yet to have a player wear number 69 in a game, but they came close. In 2018 after Ondrej Pavelec went down with an injury the Rangers called on Andrew Margolin their EBUG (Emergency Back-Up Goalie). The Rangers equipment staff had some fun with it and gave him a jersey that read McBACKUP #69.
Number 68: Jaromir Jagr
The Rangers acquired Jagr from the Capitals during the 2003-04 season. In his first full season with the Rangers, he would have the greatest offensive statistical season in franchise history. Setting records in both goals scored (54) and points in a season (123). He would win the Ted Lindsey Award following the season. Jagr would help end the Rangers playoff drought and would lead the team to the playoffs in all three full seasons he played in New York. Jagr also served as the team captain for two seasons.
Final Rangers stat line: 277 GP 124 G 195 A 319 PTS
Number 67: Benoit Pouliot
The Rangers signed Pouliot as a free agent before the 2013-14 season. Pouliot provided a scoring threat for the Rangers in their bottom six. He would help the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup Final, scoring 10 points in the playoffs. His +8 playoffs plus/minus was the best rating of any player on the team.
Final Rangers stat line: 80 GP 15 G 21 A 36 PTS
Number 66: None
There has yet to be a Rangers player to wear number 66. I find this surprising considering one of the best players in NHL history Mario Lemieux wore that number. You would think someone would wear it in their idol’s honor.
Number 65: None
None is technically the answer since no Ranger has worn the number in a regular season or playoff game. Danny O’Regan was assigned the number for the 2019-20 season. O’Regan spent time on the NHL roster but never played in a game. He was also on the Rangers playoff covid bubble playoff roster but did not play in a game.
Number 64: Tyler Motte
The Rangers acquired Motte at the 2022 trade deadline. He became the first Rangers player to wear number 64. Motte was injured just 9 games into his Rangers career but would return in the playoffs. He would suit up for 15 games this past playoff run and help the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final. Motte became a top penalty killer for the Rangers and scored 2 goals in the playoffs.
Current Rangers stat line: 9 GP 0 G 0 A 0 PTS
Number 63: Anthony Duclair
The Rangers drafted Duclair in the 3rd round of the 2013 NHL Draft. He would put up some gaudy numbers in the QMJHL and became the Rangers top-ranked prospect. Duclair would struggle in his rookie season and halfway through the year, he was returned to his junior team. The Rangers would then surprisingly trade him at the deadline that year to Arizona for Keith Yandle.
Final Rangers stat line: 18 GP 1 G 6 A 7 PTS
Number 62: Carl Hagelin
The Rangers drafted Hagelin in the 6th round of the 2013 NHL Draft. Hagelin became an extremely reliable player in both the offensive and defensive zones. During the Rangers run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 Hagelin scored 7 goals, second on the team. His playoff heroics continued the next year when he scored the overtime series-clinching goal in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. After four seasons with the Rangers, he would be traded to the Anaheim Ducks for Emerson Etem.
Final Rangers stat line: 266 GP 58 G 72 A 130 PTS
Number 61: Rick Nash
The Rangers acquired Nash from Columbus in a massive trade before the 2012-13 season. Nash had six solid seasons for the Rangers. His 42-goal performance in 2014-15 was the 3rd most in the NHL. Nash was the Rangers leading goal scorer in 3 of his 5 full seasons. He played in his 1,000th NHL game during the 2017-18. Nash took heat from Rangers fans over his lack of playoff production early in his Rangers tenure. His 38 career playoff points are the 19th most in Rangers history.
Final Rangers stat line: 375 GP 145 G 107 A 252 PTS
Number 60: None
There have not been any Rangers yet to wear number 60 in a regular season or playoff game. Ryan Bourque and Lauri Korpikoski wore the number in preseason games. Rangers goaltending prospect Olof Lindbom wore the number at Rangers development camp this summer. Maybe he could be the first?
Sound Off
There it is the greatest all-time New York Rangers to wear jersey numbers 60-69. Not too much debate with this set. The debates should heat up as the numbers lower. To hear more about my decisions on who I selected tune into my weekly Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat. Make sure you are following all of the social media pages below so you can follow along with all ten parts!
Be sure to bookmark our hockey page for hockey coverage and follow Belly Up Hockey on Twitter: @BellyUpHockey. Follow me on Twitter for more takes on the New York Rangers and USA Hockey: @KHallNY. You can also listen to my NY Rangers podcast The Broadway Hat Podcast on Apple Podcast and Spotify for Rangers news and interviews with past and current players.
