In a surprise development, the Rangers have done an about-face and will retire jersey #9 in honor of Andy Bathgate as well as Adam Graves, and will reverse the longtime neglect of Harry Howell, retiring his #3 too. We have known since Brian Leetch night that Graves was headed to the rafters to reside forever with his 1994 Cup winning teammates Mark Messier, Mike Richter, and of course Leetch. That date has now been officially set at February 3rd.
But what we didn't know was that Bathgate and Howell would get the full retirement treatment -- Larry Brooks reported last April in the Post that their jerseys would be raised as "honored numbers" rather than retirements. That plan has now apparently been amended, with the two legends from the Original Six era now slated to be honored on February 22nd in the same manner afforded Rod Gilbert and Eddie Giacomin, the only numbers recognized prior to the 1994 Stanley Cup win.
Stan Fischler, who saw Bathgate and Howell play extensively, recalls Bathgate at Game On! here and writes about Graves here. To read more, see the official announcement at NYR.com as well as articles in the Post, Newsday, Blueshirts Blog, Blue Notes, and Rangers Report. In one other piece of news about 1994 Cup winners, Prospect Park seems to be the only place that noticed that Jeff Beukeboom is joining Barrie of the OHL as assistant coach.
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