Hockey Historian George Grimm Reviews “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History”

Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. How’s your summer going?

(Programming note: This is the first of two blogs this weekend, as I want to share with you George Grimm’s review of “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History” in a separate posting. Later on this weekend, I’ll cover the latest news and notes that are making waves throughout Rangerstown, USA. I also know that I’ve been “slacking” this summer with the blog updates, but hey – I have been busy promoting and pushing my new book!)

Fellow author, website publisher (Retro Rangers) and a Blueshirt historian too, George Grimm. Photo Credit: Double G.

One of the benefits of running this website is all of the interesting and excellent fans that I meet, including fellow fans who then soon become friends. For yours truly, that is the relationship that I have with a one Mr. George Grimm.

In the past, and before even knowing Grimm at a personal level (we are also co-contributors for Stan Fischler’s articles on NHL.com and TheHockeyNews.com), I reviewed his two books, “We Did Everything But Win” and “Guardians of the Goal.”

While these links are now a bit dated, you can find those book reviews below:

“We Did Everything But Win” (The Emile Francis Era) – http://bluecollarblueshirts.com/efbook/

“Guardians of the Goal” – http://bluecollarblueshirts.com/guardians/

Funny enough, at the present moment, both Grimm and I are now working on a book together – but more on that for a future update – and when all of the heavy lifting for that project is complete.

In an act of reciprocation and ever since yours truly was “inducted” into both the “Rangers’ Historian Club” and “The Author’s Community” (what an elitist!); Grimm has recently reviewed my newest book, “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” for his website, https://insidehockey.com/category/history/retro-rangers/

At this time, here’s Grimm’s review (and without shame – a plug too!) of my latest tome. Enjoy!

If you haven’t ordered my new book already, then what are you waiting for? To purchase a copy, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/villains/

Book Review: The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History

Sean McCaffrey is at it again. The author of three previous books about the New York Rangers, including the massive four-volume “Tricks of the Trade,” has just released another lengthy volume called “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History.”

As the title suggests, it is a collection of the Top 100 entities that can be classified as “Ranger Killers.” These include individual players, entire teams, coaches, general managers, league officials, referees, team mascots, as well as cable stations, announcers and the circus. Also included are a number of previously unknown backup netminders who had successful NHL debuts against the Blueshirts as well as a few current and former Rangers who played well for other teams before coming to New York.

The book also lists many of the NHL’s most respected legends, such as Jean Beliveau, Frank Mahovlich, Mario Lemieux, Glenn Hall, Terry Sawchuk and others whose greatness was not limited to games against the Rangers during their respective Hall of Fame careers.

It’s a remarkably well-researched book that reaches way back into Blueshirt history. Who knew that King Clancy, that jovial little man who used to laugh it up with Bill Chadwick during intermissions of those long ago Saturday night WOR-TV games, was once a Ranger Killer?

The book is filled with interesting, and perhaps forgotten stories, like how the success of the movie “Air Force One” kept Neil Smith from signing Joe Sakic, while losing Mark Messier in the process.

While older Ranger fans may question the placement of some of the villains of the 60s, including John Ferguson, who seemed to take a special delight in punishing Rod Gilbert, both as a player and later as the Rangers’ general manager, at number 100, and Ted Green, who once had a bounty placed on his head by former Ranger President William Jennings for spearing Phil Goyette at only ten spots higher at 90 – but that’s the beauty of a book like this – a book that stirs up memories and debates.

As you can imagine, McCaffrey rounds up the usual suspects, naming many Bruins, Penguins and the entire Flyers organization from the Broad Street Bullies days. However, they are outnumbered by the Devils and Islanders selected, including Lou Lamoriello who turned the Devils into winners and is now trying to do the same with the Islanders. It should also come as no surprise that an Islander topped the list – the man Ranger fans love to hate, even decades after his retirement – Denis Potvin.

And although not specifically named on the list, McCaffrey spews copious amounts of well-earned venom at Glen Sather, who has had the Blueshirts on a treadmill to nowhere for over 23 years, and his chief enabler, team owner Jim Dolan.

As in his previous offerings, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters at Madison Square Garden,” “One Game at a Time, A Season to Remember,” and the previously mentioned “Tricks of the Trade,” the author shoots from the hip and burns some bridges behind him; but “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History” is a worthy addition to what will someday be the Sean McCaffrey self in your Ranger library.

George Grimm

InsideHockey.com

As previously mentioned on this site, there’s something special about your first, which is why I consider my first book as my best work – although the reviews are suggesting that my newest book, my fourth title, is my best yet. At the very least – it’s the most comedic!

When it comes to Ranger historians, George Grimm and Stan Fischler (https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/73123/ ), I’m now batting 1.000 with rave reviews – but of course – I’m also friends with these people. In other words, if you’re still on the fence, and think these reviews are biased, then I understand.

However, and to give you the other side of the coin, here are two quick reviews that were posted on Amazon.com from people that I don’t know. (And if you bought the book on Amazon, then feel free to give it a five-star review if you feel inclined, as reviews do help book sales and eyeballs reached.)

Great read for NYR fans

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 23, 2023

Verified Purchase

Short chapters make it an easy read. A knowledgeable author who’s takes on Rangers killers will inform and entertain. I recommend NYR fans add this to their bookshelf.

Amazing read for non NYR fans

Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2023

Verified Purchase

The chapters are written very well and are comedic at times! For sure a great read for anyone who would like to know more about the misery that NYR fans have went through!

Furthermore, I have personally received emails from not only Ranger fans praising the book – but correspondence from fans of the Islanders, Flyers, Devils and Penguins who all bought the book – and loved it.

But of course, with their heroes getting high praise in the book – you would have to expect that these supporters would feel this way!

The 100 Ranger Killers covered in the book.

Thanks for reading this selfish act of self-promotion, but as mentioned numerous times in the past – who else is going to push my book harder than me?

Like Arnold S. – “I’ll be back” later this weekend – as there are a bunch of things in the vast world of the Blueshirts that are currently grinding my gears!

PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)

My fourth title and tenth book is now available for preorder!

“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for preorder.

For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/

The hardcover version of my first book, available now at Amazon.com

My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”

As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD

For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:

Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today

My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.

My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.

To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/

To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”

The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!

“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.

All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.

To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com

To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com

To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/

Here are my last few blogs, in case you missed them: