As time passes, and we avidly follow our favorite sports teams, many players come and go. While we may recall them during their time with the team, some slip through the crevices of our memory, only to resurface through a nostalgic memory or an old piece of media, causing us to reconnect their faces and names with the iconic Rangers uniform.
Among the hallowed names like Messier, Leetch, Giacomin, Lundqvist, and others, there are those more unknown Rangers, such as Eric Reitz, Matt Gilroy, Ales Kotalik, Chris Higgins, and others who may have faded from our recollection. As we traverse the regular season, we’ll delve into a few of these “Forgotten Rangers.”
In this edition, we look at a career Wolf Pack and coach along with a black ace from the 1994 Stanley Cup run.
Ken Gernander, Right Wing
Time with Rangers: 12 regular season games (95-96, 03-04), 15 playoff games (95-96, 96-97)
Ken Gernander enjoyed a long and substantial tenure in the hockey world, having played and coached. Initially a member of both the Binghamton Rangers and Hartford Wolf Pack as a player, he later transitioned to coaching roles with the Wolf Pack and Connecticut Whale, maintaining a longstanding affiliation with the New York Rangers.
A significant highlight of his playing career was winning the Calder Cup in 2000, although his time with the big club was characterized by brief stints as an injury fill-in or short-term replacement, resulting in 8 points (5 G, 3 A).
Following his retirement from active play, Gernander left an indelible mark on the AHL, becoming the all-time leader in career playoff games played (123) and the leading scorer among American-born players with an impressive 624 points in 973 games.
His contribution extended to coaching, where he served as an assistant coach for Hartford before taking on the head coaching role for over nine seasons. During this period, he played a crucial role in developing several current and former Rangers, including notable names like Ryan McDonagh, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, and Mats Zuccarello.
Despite his impactful coaching career, Gernander was relieved of his duties after the 2016-2017 season. Currently, he serves as a scout for the New York Islanders. Notably, Gernander’s jersey number 12 holds the distinction of being the only number retired by the Wolf Pack.
Mike Hartman, Left Wing
Time with Rangers: 35 games in ’93-’94
Affectionately known as one of the “Black Aces,” Hartman spent the better part of three seasons with New York. Acquired in exchange for Randy Gilhen from the Lightning, Hartman assumed the role of a depth forward for the Rangers.
Despite contending with injuries during his tenure with the Blueshirts, he managed to contribute in 35 games during the ’93-’94 season, recording a goal and an assist.
Following his stint in New York, Hartman’s journey led him through various leagues, including the IHL, ECHL, and a brief period in Germany, before ultimately retiring in ’03-’04. Currently, he has transitioned into a motivational speaker.
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