The Remarks Of Speaker Sheldon Silver

NY Rangers Visit The Assembly Chamber

Wednesday, June 18, 2014


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I have to say as a longtime, diehard Rangers fan dating back to the old Madison Square Garden and the blue seats that existed over there …

And on behalf of the New York State Assembly …

Let me express my gratitude to General Manager Glen Sather, Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld, and to the players, Derek Stepan, Dominic Moore and to Martin St. Louis of the National Hockey League's Eastern Conference Champion New York Rangers …

For taking the time after a long and well-fought season to visit us here in Albany.

It is truly our privilege to have all of you here today.

Shortly, we will have a resolution on which to vote honoring the 2013-2014 New York Rangers, but since opportunities such as this come so infrequently, let me take a moment to personally and publicly applaud all of you on a season that was as outstanding as it was inspiring.

Few can appreciate the height of the expectations New Yorkers place on you and all of our teams and athletes.

The 45 wins that you brought us this year, including 25 on the road, which in hockey - and certainly for the New York Rangers - happens to be a record and gave New York hockey fans all that we could hope for and more.

When the Stanley Cup Playoffs began, the experts said that you would be lucky to survive the first round.

When you sent the Flyers packing, they said there was no way the Rangers could beat the Pittsburgh Penguins. Down three games to one, this team rallied and sent Pittsburgh home as well.

Dominic, your goal in Game Six against the Canadiens backed up by an incredible goaltender named Henrik Lundquist will live on in New York hockey lore forever.

As for the Stanley Cup Finals, loyalties aside, hockey fans could not have asked for a more exciting series. Three games that were lost in overtime, two in double overtime.

The toughness, the tenacity and the "never-say-die" performance displayed by the Rangers team was truly inspirational.

Remember Marty St. Louis, who had a personal tragedy in the middle of the playoffs. This team rallied around him and played unbelievably in support of Marty and he in support of the team.

And then, there was Derek Stepan, who suffered a broken jaw, had surgery, and missed only one game of the entire playoff series.

You left me and all Ranger fans with a hunger for next season and with the confidence that Stanley Cup will be returned to New York, where it belongs. It only temporarily resides on the Left Coast.

Speaking as a fan, thank you for a tremendous season.

Please convey our gratitude to Coach Vigneault, his associate coaches and all of your teammates and thank you, again, for spending some time with us today.

photo collage