What’s up everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. After my last blog, where I reviewed the Frank Boucher autobiography and talked everything about the current collection of Rangers, in today’s blog, we’re going to the past again, this time to the early 1970’s.
Before getting into the plugs, the book review and everything else, I want to direct you to the TWO NEW SECTIONS of BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. You can find these sections on the drop down menu on your phone or just check the header at the top of the site to access them. However, to make it easier for you, you can access these two new sections with these links:
THE REAL RAFTERS OF MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: http://doinow.com/msgrafters/
THE NEW YORK RANGERS RINK OF HONOR: http://doinow.com/nyrroh/
To give you a quick preview and some thoughts, I am launching these two new sections of the blog, because I feel the New York Rangers and some of the other fan blogs out there, do a terrible job talking about the great players that wore the Ranger blueshirt sweater. Now, you have a place to check out some of the legendary players in Rangers history, all in one place.
These two new sections have a dual purpose for me. For one, you may know me as the guy who’s been campaigning the Rangers to retire Frank Boucher’s #7 for years. I am hoping this is just another article to push my cause.
Secondly, I wanted a one-stop page, where Ranger fans, young and old, can see all these names of Rangers greats. For older fans, this will be a trip down memory lane. For younger fans, this is a way for you to do your own research.
Maybe you’re bored at school, at work or on the toilet. Maybe you’re in the car waiting for your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife to hurry up. Maybe you can’t sleep at night. Whatever the scenario may be, to kill time, maybe you check out the RANGERS RINK OF HONOR PAGE and say, “hey, who was this Ching Johnson guy?” Or maybe you scroll down and say, “Who was Gump Worsely? It sounds made up!” Then, maybe you’re around my age (I’m born in 1982) and say, “Petr Nedved? WTF!?!”‘
In any event, while many of you know my thoughts about the present team and know my thoughts on the present goalie, let me also be the one that shows you the great history of this team. Of course, in addition, you can also find out more about Rangers history on this blog by visiting the BCBS Book Reviews and Delorean Blogs (Old School NYR Games Reviewed In the Present Day) sections.
And finally, before jumping into this book review, here are my most recent blogs, in case you missed them:
BCBS 7/20: Frank Boucher “When The Rangers Were Young” Book Review & All The Latest News/Opinions on the Current State of NYR. The “Lose For Hughes” Debate, One Trade NYR Should Look Into, Quinn’s Coaching Staff, Hank’s Attitude, The “Controversial” McLeod Re-Signing, Smith, Quick, Lettieri, The Russians, Shatty, Chart Hockey & Much More
Delorean Double-Blog Version 9.0: Team Canada vs Team USA in The Gold Medal Game 3 of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey! Mike Richter Wins MVP in a Game Featuring The Greatest Collection of Talent Under One Roof, Brett Hull Dominates, The 1994 Rangers Split Up, Gretzky & Much More
The Mike Richter vs Henrik Lundqvist Debate: An In-Depth Look At Who Is Truly The Greatest Goalie in the History of the New York Rangers, Looking At Every Starting Goalie in the 91+ Year History of NYR & Much More Richter vs Lundqvist Talk
The New York Rangers Delorean Blog Part VIII: NYR vs The Atlanta Thrashers! The Jaromir Jagr Led Era of Rangers Replace The Core 4, The NHL Lockout, Two of the Worst Senile Sather Trades Ever Made, Lundqvist Emerges, Rookie Playoff Action For Cally & Girardi, Prucha Time, Avery Delivers, Gretzky’s Stay in NY & More
The Delorean & the Tavares/NHL Free Agency Double Blog. Reviewing & Reliving The Rangers vs Atlanta Flames Playoff Series From 4/9/1980, The Beginning of Dark Times in Rangerstown, Espo vs Gilbert, JD’s Last Legs, Beck & Gresch Own The Blue Line, Captain Maloney, Playoff Expansion, the WHA & More. Plus: Taking a Deep Look at Tavares Leaving NYI & Insane Islander Fans
Gilles Villemure is a name that will bring a smile to the faces of older Ranger fans. For younger Ranger fans, the name Gilles Villemure may illicit a “WHO?” reaction. In “Gilles Villemure’s Tales from the Ranger Locker Room”, which is authored by Villemure himself and now Boston area scribe Mike Shalin, fans not familiar with Villemure will find out all about Villemure and those great Ranger teams from the early 1970’s.
In previous book reviews and Delorean blogs, I have talked about this era of Rangers hockey. The period of time Villemure mostly covers in this book is 1970-1975, which was the peak & the end of the Emile Francis era. (Speaking of Francis, you can check out my “We Did Everything But Win” Emile Francis book review here: http://doinow.com/efbook/)
Unlike other books written by ex-players, this book isn’t really a Villemure autobiography. While Villemure does talk a little about his formative and pre-Ranger years, this book is a collection of stories from an era of Rangers history, which is kind of romanticized now.
While the book is largely narrated by Villemure and his co-author Mike Shalin, for the most part, the book is chopped up into separate chapters, with Rangers from 1970-1975 chiming in. Aside from Villemure, the book also features chapters & stories from Giacomin, Stemkowski, Irvine, Gilbert, Park, Hadfield, Fairbairn, The Chief, Francis, Vickers and other Ranger players from this time period.
This book, which was published in 2002 (It would later be re-released in 2016, but from what I gathered, the only thing that really changed are the trivia & overall stat leaders sections of the book) is a perfect companion piece for the recently released George Grimm, “We Did Everything But Win” book. In this Villemure book, as mentioned, there are ten trivia questions throughout the book, but some of the answers are now dated. It doesn’t take away from the book, when reading it through the eyes of today. (Of note, I’m reviewing the 2002 version. That said, I’m sure the 2016 trivia section is dated too, as Lundqvist, Girardi, Staal and others have since surpassed ex-Rangers in the “Playoff Games Played” trivia question.)
The meat and potatoes of this book is 1970-1975, through the eyes of the people who wore the Rangers jersey from that era. If there is any true criticism of the book, it seems that some stories were repeated to a point of redundancy, in an attempt to get to the near 200 page mark. Kind of like Sean Avery’s book, where he tells you that his name was chanted at M$G 7676789678967896789678967896 times, Villemure tells you that he & Giacomin won the Vezina Trophy for the 1970-1971 season about 72857827394078958947 times. I guess if I won a Vezina, I’d be sure to remind you a bunch of times too.
While I really enjoyed this book, as the book continues to mosey along, and the chapters are handed off to a different player, the book feels like it’s saying the same thing over and over. (If you notice, an on-going trend in this review!)
For example you’re told the same thing in a myriad of ways. Peter Stemkowski was funny. Everyone loved Emile. Gilbert was one of the best. The GAG line was the greatest line in Rangers history. (Although, personally, I’d dispute that, and go with the Bread Line.) Villemure could’ve been a starter. It’s not that repeating the same stories over and over necessarily takes away from the book, it just seems you could’ve used the space to talk about something else.
If anything, this book comes off like a transcribed symposium, with Villemure as your moderator. Villemure would talk about a subject, such as the Ratelle injury of 1972. Then, Villemure would hand the “written microphone” down the line and each Ranger would comment about the topic. If you can enjoy that concept, this book is a homerun.
For me, the repetition isn’t bothersome to me as it may be for others. After all, I am seeking out Rangers history and this book is somewhat a collection of mini-interviews. This book gives you access to the minds and memories of numerous New York Rangers. It’s somewhat a good reference book, for me personally, when trying to learn about this era or for when I do the Delorean blogs from this time period.
It’s funny, I look at this picture of Villemure holding the Vezina Trophy, nearly 45 years after he won it. What a thrill this must’ve been for him. This was probably the first time he held it since 1971. That’s gotta be a hell of a rush for him and a great moment for his family.
Away from the Francis era of Rangers, Villemure lightly talks about himself, his big break and his love for horse racing. Like many other goalies from his era, Villemure was a victim of a 6 team league, and it wasn’t until the Great Expansion of 1967 and later, the inception of the WHA in 1972, which really opened the door for more players to play and get paid, at the professional level.
For reference, Villemure only played 7 years and didn’t become a full-time NHLer until 1970, when he was 30 years old. There was no such thing as an NHL draft in Villemure’s day (At least until 1963) as he as given his C-Form Contract at 16 years old and that was that. Villemure toiled in the Rangers system for nearly 15 years, before joining the Rangers full-time.
Also keep in mind, with only 6 teams in the NHL, hockey fans did follow other leagues. For Ranger fans, living in NY, they were most aware of the EHL and the AHL. That’s where Villemure spent some of his time and it’s where he shone. In today’s era, Villemure would’ve been a starting NHL goalie, but again, he was just a victim of his time, as he wasn’t going to bump Giacomin off the depth chart.
Villemure talks about his days in the minors, his feelings about not making the big team and what it was finally like to get called to the Rangers. Away from hockey, Villemure talks about his love of the track, harness racing and discusses the age old question of – “is horse racing fixed?” (Villemure says it was at one point, but feels like it’s gone from the sport today. I don’t know about that, especially with these midnight trotter races of today!)
Without further ado, here are some pages from the book:
(Note: The following is all from Gilles Villemure’s Tales From the Rangers Locker Room and being reprinted without permission. I am hoping that I don’t get sued by sharing these photos from a 16 year old book!)
What an intro #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/Idzgys8rGT
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Not too shabby having Eddie open your book for you #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/R6A1WMMyPU
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
This is a way to start a book! #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/NenNisJLLg
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Bad times or good, #nyr fans are there #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/0Q0hFRFVGe
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
I know it has to kill the old timers when they see what players get paid today #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/A7I0tgNfIM
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
More mask stories. Of note, Villemure had nothing but good things to say about Shero, who was more open & talkative during his AHL coaching days. Shero would sell out the front of the bus with his stories and strategy. #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/7PTxIedrWI
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Villemure had players and coaches make cameos in his book. Here’s The Cat. #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/LgmDdPyiJJ
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Another reason on a long list of why #nyr only has four cups in 90+ years #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/bT3LggXZEP
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
If you busted your ass, Francis would also take care of any off the ice issues.#GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/v4yYnc7qld
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Like many, #GillesVillemure wasn’t s fan of the Park trade pic.twitter.com/QZSWK6U2t6
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
I never heard one person say anything negative about Stemmer #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/gYMc0MYiIp
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Greschner belongs in the rafters #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/3wISKR6rAz
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
No punches pulled #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/AtlGz5CBTp
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
In this #GillesVillemure book,@rodgilbert7 has a guest chapter. Good stuff, especially since I’ve most recently read Esposito’s opinions on this time. Always good to get both sides of every story. I would pay to see a duel/dual 1-2 hour interview w/both @PhilEsposito7 & RG. #nyr pic.twitter.com/dmsvuC2DMN
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Brad Park says #NYR threwrhr Giacomin return game #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/uUin4S5HNg
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
End of an era #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/KEENrsoNEx
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Like many Rangers of the 70’s, Stemmer gets his own chapter #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/uov6yZdM9x
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Villemure used to race horses. I still contend that all harness races are fixed. #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/Lq4yDCc8mW
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Well, no one bats 1.000 with their predictions #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/0Bqd3oBIJJ
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Teddy Irvine has a chapter. I remember going to this charity game with Chris Jericho and sitting behind Jane Seymour. Too bad there weren’t iPhones then to share pix from that game. #nyr #GillesVillemure pic.twitter.com/D0fRvwAD4e
— BlueCollarBlueShirts (@NYCTheMiC) July 22, 2018
Over the course of their 91+ year history, there are many ups and downs with the Rangers. Unfortunately, full game footage and the players from perhaps the golden years of the club, the 1928-1940 era, where the Rangers won three Stanley Cups, are no longer around. The World War II era of Rangers was a dark time, where the team rarely made the playoffs and were the joke of the league. (Again, I’ve discussed this in-detail on this blog before. Draft rights were based on location and the Rangers, the southern most team in the league at the time, had the worst access to players.)
It wasn’t until Emile Francis took over, that the Rangers made their first Stanley Cup appearance since 1950, when the Francis Rangers made the SCF in 1972. For baby boomers, these were their Rangers and their first adult memories of the team.
This era of Rangers produced several household names, such as Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, Eddie Giacomin, Brad Park, Big Walt and Ron Greschner. (Of note, Greschner would join the team late into the Francis Era and would be more known with the 1979 Fred Shero Rangers. Ironically, the Fred Shero that Villemure knew from the AHL, was a much different one than the Rangers had many years later.)
This era of Rangers also produced some of the best complementary players in Rangers history, such as Teddy Irvine, Jim “The Chief” Neilson, Peter Stemkowski and yes, Gilles Villemure himself.
This period of time is also known for the biggest trades in Rangers history, with both trades featuring the Bruins as trading partners. Not ironically, this led to the end of the Francis Era.
While one can argue who won the Espo/Vadnais for Park/Ratelle trade, (neither team won a Cup after the trade & the trade most likely benefited the Bruins more than the Rangers) no one can argue that the Rick Middleton for Ken Hodge trade of 1976, was a complete bust for the Rangers. In this Middleton/Hodge trade, where the Rangers lost big time, they gave up the younger & better Rick Middleton for Esposito’s old line mate, in Ken Hodge. Both of those trades are discussed in-depth in this book. To Villemure’s credit, despite having an association with the Rangers today, Villemure bluntly states that this trade was terrible for the Rangers.
As you can see above, to this day, Villemure still signs autographs and works with the Rangers. Despite being from Quebec, after his Rangers tenure, Villemure remained in New York, and to this day, still lives in Nassau County. In fact, I believe he even uses the LIRR to M$G like the rest of us suckers, as I’ve seen him two times just hanging out and waiting in Penn Station. (And no, I didn’t go up to him because I was trying to catch a train myself both times & I didn’t want to bother him during his personal time.)
I think every Ranger fan will enjoy “Tales From the Rangers Locker Room”, as it brings you to a different time period and truly gives you an inside look at one of the better Ranger eras in Rangers history.
There are now two versions of the book (First one being published in 2002 and an updated republished book in 2016, which I have not read) and you can get either on Amazon.com for cents on the dollar.
I bought this book for $2.89 on Amazon and you can purchase the book directly at https://www.amazon.com/Gilles-Villemures-Tales-Ranger-Locker/dp/1582613877
As of this writing, there are 32 copies left on Amazon, with the cheapest book being $3. For $3 and for two or so hours of reading entertainment & knowledge, you know you’ve spent $3 in worse ways. For $3, this book is worth having in your collection. I’m glad I bought it and thoroughly enjoyed Villemure’s account of this era.
Overall, while you may find yourself reading the same story being told 3674376734 different ways at times, this is an enjoyable book & I’d recommend it. Again, I’m making light of some of the redundancy, as this book had more of a “symposium” feel to it, than anything else.
For young fans, you owe yourself the service about learning of the greats your parents or maybe your grandparents grew up with. For older fans, you will love this nostalgia.
Moving forward, make sure to check out the new sections on this blog, which once again, you can visit here:
THE REAL RAFTERS OF MADISON SQUARE GARDEN: http://doinow.com/msgrafters/
THE NEW YORK RANGERS RINK OF HONOR: http://doinow.com/nyrroh/
Up next on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com: Rangers news as it comes in, book reviews and a Delorean blog. If I’m feeling ambitious, I may launch a new flashback section of this blog, examining the most famous & infamous trades in Rangers history. After reading this book, two trades are fresh in my head!
As always, thanks for reading and….
“LET’S GO RANGERS!”
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on your twitter machine
