True Blue Subscriber Night

The Rangers held a fan forum for season subscribers tonight inside the Manhattan Center. It was the same space that held last year's Lifer Forum and the team kept the same formula this time around. Parade the Rangers in, have the team banter with a moderator, then open the floor to questions from fans.

Ryan Callahan, Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Boyle were on the panel last year and were joined tonight by Vinny Prospal, Brandon Prust and Ryan McDonagh. Some randomness to come out of all of the talking:

*The biggest thing to come out from the players was Vinny Prospal's admission that all is not well with his rehab. Prospal said that he has been testing it and was skating "on one leg." The one thing pushing him is his promise to his son that he will play again but certainly he did not seem optimistic.

*Prospal is so tan from spending all summer playing tennis outdoors. Hank is tan because he spent the off time during the recent Florida trip out by the pool.

*Hank overdressed with a sharp, skin-tight suit while Prust underdressed and was given a bit of grief for it.

*The guys have good chemistry and there was a bit of fun banter to be had. McDonagh, however, did the smart rookie thing and kept his mouth shut. Kinda felt bad for him because he was barely acknowledged after his initial q&a with Al.

*McDonagh admitted that he is not a big television guy and he prefers to read while Cally admitted that he has a passion for reality TV - specifically Toddlers & Tiaras and Jersey Shore.

*As ridiculous as that was, Cally came across as the captain. I'm not sure how to phrase it any other way - he had a certainty to the way he was talking and the way he spoke to the other guys that just seemed to me to show leadership.

*Brian Boyle's nickname is Boiler. And the guys acknowledged that hockey nicknames are not particularly inventive nowadays.

*As I tweeted, many of the fan-asked questions were dumb beyond redemption; the players must have walked away thinking that we are all idiots. Many people actually didn't ask questions, choosing instead to rant or talk about themselves.

*One poor woman, who may have had some kind of mental disability, went on and on about gifts she sent to the guys. It was heart-felt but rambling and she was cat-called by another member of the audience.

*Hank said that he goes through 120 sticks a year, and that he may not throw his sticks into the crowd anymore during the three stars as it ignites fights in the crowd (and some brass said that he shouldn't). The fact that he had the three-game point streak was brought up and Hank said he called several friends to taunt them.

*Scott Lasky was the MC and he was horrid. The guy is corporate vanilla awfulness. He tried to claim an life-long fandom of the team, saying that he was a Ranger fan who used to get beat up during the years that the "boys on the bus of Bossy, Potvin Trottier" were going on. Sorry pal, the Boys on the Bus were the Oilers, not the Islanders.

*For as good as Al was, he didn't do his homework ahead of time and said that Prust was a Western Canada guy when, in fact, the Ranger hails from London, Ontario. Whoops.

*People asked if the team was going to play in the next Winter Classic and, of course, the guys didn't know but would like to. They also have no problem with starting next season overseas as Callahan said that the last time it was a good experience and it brought the boys together.

*And everyone hates Sidney Crosby.

All told it was a nice evening but, of course, you left wanting more. There were no autographs, no photos and only a lucky few received prizes. But, considering the large amount of diehard Ranger fans, those 1,000 or so in attendance were the lucky few to even get to go so we should be thankful.

Lifer Forum

Last night the Rangers held their Lifer Season Subscriber Forum in the Grand Ballroom of the Manhatten Center. It really was a grand ballroom - a very impressive space that held what Ranger reps said was 1,200 subscribers.

Speaking in the now-typical forum fashion were Ryan Callahan, Henrik Lundqvist, Marc Staal, Brian Boyle and Enver Lisin, with Sam and Joe MC-ing. Everyone got popcorn, a soda and a 'I am a Ranger' placard. There were no autographs or photos, with the players led in and out away from the fans. There was the usual giveaways - through trivia, raffle and selected seats - but I didn't get anything. I don't mind; like every year, I'm holding out hope for Blueshirts Off Our Backs.

Some things I learned:

*Marc Staal doesn't deserve the respect we give him. He saw the Drury hit, thought it was borderline and still did nothing.

*Staal is also narcoleptic.

*Lisin is the team's Yakov Smirnoff: hilarious for his broken english and blatant honesty. That, as well as his bro-mance with Arty Anisimov ...

*The players were told no ties but Hank showed up with a tie and a pocket square, something Staalsie ridiculed him for.

*Hank doesn't think that the extra games of the Olympics are too costly physically.

*And the only person he is afraid to take on in a shootout is he brother Joel - good thing he is back in Sweden.

*Cally takes that letter on his sweater really seriously, which is good to see.

*Joe is just as obnoxious live as he is on tv, and needs glasses. He tried to get Lisin to read something for him and Lisin - who can barely speak english much less read it - was of no help.

*Hank's sister thinks that the goaltender needs to start standing up for himself.

*Boyle really is a massive human being and comes from a massive family of 13 kids. And is a diehard Sawx fan - garnering plenty of boos.

*The Rangers greatly appreciate how their fans travel, thinking of Devil and Islander games as home games, even if most of them feel the Mausoleum is the worst building in the biz.

*And us Ranger fans are a passionate, slightly insane bunch. But let's face it, we knew that already.

More in-depth notes and quotes available at Beyond the Blueshirts

'Meet The Blueshirts' Forum

The Rangers held a fan forum with the new Blueshirts in the lobby of the Garden this evening. For a relatively unbiased report, check out Ranger Rants. Check that out for a run down of the event, then come back for my outlook below.

First off, even though it was an event for season ticket subscribers, you couldn't pick up your tickets unless you arrived well before 6pm, which is ridiculous. At the same time, they had to keep trying to get blood from a rock and had a merch stand open. They had free food and free beer so I guess they still had to try to make a profit. While I can't see anyone spending over $500 for the Wade Redden game-worn jersey ... yes, it was over $500 ... for a Wade Redden jersey. While - like the Malik jersey I pointed out in a previous post - it is sure to have little damage from actual game play, game used Ranger jerseys go for around 300, maybe 400 bucks online nowadays. And the Garden is trying to get five bills for Redden. Jeez.

They did have some good stuff, like new, $20 player jersey tee shirts for Callahan, Hank, Gaborik and Higgins. Yes, I bought one. Yes, I have a problem. I know. The team also has a problem as they had season ticket reps around trying to get you to buy more tickets. Astonishingly, less people are buying tickets in a down economy as prices are going up. Who'da thunk it?

But let's get past that and move to the speakers.

Donald Brashear. To help deflect the boos and win over people, he played the clown throughout the chat and came across to me as smug and oafish. There were several people who responded to his offer to challenge him and he played it off with a smile. The thing that gets me most is that many folks there were taken in by the teddy bear tough guy act and will gladly cheer for him when he steps on the Garden ice. For shame. Guess it's like the dog that soils the expensive rug. You tell him 'bad dog, bad dog' but ya just can't help but not be mad at him. Your carpet is garbage but, heck, what a sweet, swell animal you have. Fool.

On the other side of the coin, I've always rooted for Chris Higgins as he grew up a few minutes from my house. Now I am even more of a fan after watching him deftly handle the questions presented to him (as well as the proposition from the busty young lady). Even though many of the questions were clearly queries he has heard before, it didn't sound like he was spouting cliches and rhetoric.

Chris Drury on the other hand ... I'm not sure there is a more boring, more benign player in the NHL. A buddy of mine essentially asked Dru if he felt bad for sucking so badly last season even though he was paid so much and what has he done so he won't such this season. Rather than confront the person, or respond directly to the question, he replied with his usual replies of tough times with the injury, working hard, blah blah I fell asleep during his answer. It is a good thing we have a coach who is willing to speak up because you probably could rob Drury's house and he wouldn't step up and get angry. Don't get me wrong, I like Drury - he plays with heart - but I still think the captain of this team should be a cult of personality, not a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

His boy Ales Kotalik showed up, fresh off the plane from the Czech Republic. It looked like he was fresh out of the gym, however, with him showing off his biceps. It is quite remarkable that he has played in North America for so long and he has such trouble speaking english. He tried to answer the questions but looked mightily uncomfortable when doing so.

Marian Gaborik was much better, even if he went the Drury route and gave canned answers to the questions about his health and how he might be able to help the power play. But, honestly, all of his talking needs to be done on the ice this season. Stay healthy and be a hero or fall apart and give us even more reason to hate Glen Sather (like we need that).

The forum ended with the players giving out jerseys to people who could answer stupid questions - who used to play on the same team as Chris Drury? - and the players were quickly ushered out. They didn't sign autographs, didn't pose for pictures, just got the hell out of there as quick as possible. Can't say I blame them as the free beer encouraged a few guys near me to consider taking Brash up on his earlier offer. The forum was nice for what it was but still a far cry from the events that other teams hold where the entire team comes out and interacts with the fans. But, we will see what this weekend's fanfest holds.

 "Meet The Blueshirts Forum: Connecting Fans with the New York Rangers"

Sports forums have long been a vital component of fan engagement, providing a platform for enthusiasts to connect, share opinions, and discuss their favorite teams. One such forum that holds a special place in the hearts of New York Rangers fans is "Meet The Blueshirts." In this article, we will delve into the world of the "Meet The Blueshirts" forum, exploring its history, its role in connecting Rangers fans, and addressing frequently asked questions (FAQs) to offer a comprehensive view of this vibrant online community.

Section 1: The Birth of "Meet The Blueshirts"

1. A Fan-Driven Initiative

"Meet The Blueshirts" was founded by a group of passionate New York Rangers fans who saw a need for a dedicated online space where fellow enthusiasts could discuss their beloved team.

2. The Early Years

The forum started as a modest online gathering but quickly gained popularity among Rangers fans. Its early years were marked by spirited discussions, game-day threads, and a growing community of active users.

3. A Hub for News and Analysis

Over time, "Meet The Blueshirts" evolved into more than just a fan forum. It became a reliable source for Rangers news, analysis, and in-depth discussions about the team's performance.

Section 2: The Role of the Forum

1. A Gathering Place for Fans

"Meet The Blueshirts" serves as a virtual gathering place for Rangers fans from all corners of the globe. It allows fans to connect and share their passion for the team, regardless of geographic location.

2. In-Depth Analysis

The forum provides a platform for fans to engage in detailed discussions about team strategy, player performance, and game analysis. It's a place where hockey enthusiasts can dive deep into the intricacies of the sport.

3. Game-Day Experience

On game days, the forum comes alive with real-time game threads where fans share their excitement, frustrations, and play-by-play reactions. It simulates the camaraderie of watching a game together in a sports bar or arena.

Section 3: The Community and Its Impact

1. A Diverse Community

"Meet The Blueshirts" boasts a diverse user base, including fans of different ages, backgrounds, and hockey knowledge levels. This diversity enriches the discussions and fosters a sense of inclusion.

2. Charitable Initiatives

The forum has also been a catalyst for charitable initiatives. Rangers fans have come together to support various causes, demonstrating the positive impact of sports fandom beyond the game itself.

3. Unforgettable Moments

Over the years, "Meet The Blueshirts" has witnessed memorable moments, both on and off the ice. From playoff runs to individual player achievements, the forum has been a witness to Rangers history.

FAQs: "Meet The Blueshirts" Forum

Let's address some frequently asked questions about the "Meet The Blueshirts" forum:

1. Is the forum officially affiliated with the New York Rangers organization?

No, "Meet The Blueshirts" is an independent fan forum created and managed by Rangers enthusiasts. It is not officially affiliated with the New York Rangers or the National Hockey League (NHL).

2. How can I join the forum?

Joining "Meet The Blueshirts" is typically straightforward. You can register for an account on the forum's website, follow their registration process, and start participating in discussions.

3. Are there rules and guidelines for forum participation?

Yes, like most online communities, "Meet The Blueshirts" has rules and guidelines for participation. These rules are usually outlined in the forum's terms of service or community guidelines.

4. What topics are discussed on the forum?

The forum covers a wide range of topics related to the New York Rangers, including game analysis, player discussions, team news, and general hockey talk. It's a place for fans to share their insights and opinions on all things Rangers-related.

"Meet The Blueshirts" forum exemplifies the power of sports fandom in bringing people together and fostering meaningful connections. It has become more than just a place to discuss hockey; it's a virtual home for Rangers fans to share their passion, analyze the game they love, and celebrate the triumphs and challenges of their team. As the New York Rangers continue to inspire their fans on the ice, "Meet The Blueshirts" remains a testament to the enduring spirit of the Rangers' faithful, united in their love for the Blueshirts.