Originally an expansion franchise in 1926, the New York Rangers began play in the NHL to compete with the New York Americans, who also played in that time. Obviously, the Rangers are still operating and the Americans are ancient history, and in their history, have had twenty-five captains.
BIRTH TO WORLD WAR II
The early years of the Rangers were captained by Bill Cook, who would go on to lead the team from 1926 until 1937. Art Coulter would take over the C in 1937 and would hold that distinction until 1942. Coulter would also be the captain of the last Rangers team to win the Stanley Cup until 1994. Ott Heller would be the captain in 1942 and would hold it until 1945.
POST WORLD WAR II TO EXPANSION
After the War, Neil Colville would have the C in 1945 and would hold it until halfway through the 1948-49 season. The next two seasons would see Buddy O'Connor and Frank Eddolls wear the C for a season each before Allan Stanley would take the captain duties for the next two seasons. Two more captains serving two seasons each would follow in Don Raleigh (1953-55) and Harry Howell (1955-57). George Sullivan would take over in 1957, captaining the team until 1961. Andy Bathgate would captain the team for the next three years before a season of Camille Henry would follow. Bob Nevin would take over the captain duties in 1965 and have it until 1971, which by then, saw new teams enter the league.
POST EXPANSION TO 1991
The first Expansion era was not very kind to the Rangers, as they experienced some lean years. After Nevin vacated the C, Vic Hadfield would take the C in 1971 and hold it until 1974. A year of Brad Park would follow before a Phil Esposito in the twilight years reign would last from 1975 until 1978. Two seasons of Dave Maloney and a season of Walt Tkaczuk would follow after that before Barry Beck would see the captain duties through from 1981 until 1986. A year of Ron Greschner followed before Kelly Kisio took over in 1987 until the conlcusion of the 1990-91 season, when he was taken by the San Jose Sharks in the Dispersal Draft.
1991 TO PRESENT
1991 was a year of change, as Mark Messier stepped into the captain's role. That would bear fruit in 1994, when Messier led the team to the Stanley Cup and in the process, earned himself a spot in Rangers lore. His free agent signing to Vancouver in 1997 opened the door for Brian Leetch, who would have the captain duties until 2000, when Messier returned to the team. Messier would go on to captain the team until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2003-04 season. The first season after the lockout saw the team go without a captain, though, and the following season, a resurgent Jaromir Jagr would be named captain. He would wear the C for two seasons before signing with a team in the KHL. Chris Drury was signed from Buffalo in 2007, and would be named captain in 2008, a role he holds to this day.
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