It's Rangers game day and it's one of the most important games of the year. It has nothing to do with the standings, the stats, the playoff chase, in fact it has very little to do with hockey. Tonight is the night the yearly Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is presented to a member of the New York Rangers as voted by the fans. This award is given to a player who has gone above and beyond this season, both on and off the ice. The recipient is usually a player well liked by the team and fans alike, a player who represents what it means to be a New York Ranger and often times gives back to the community of New York. It's a night where no matter what kind of season it's been, no matter how the team is doing on the ice, you're reminded why you love this team and what it means to be a part of the New York Rangers community.
If you're reading this article I'm certain you are well aware of Steven McDonald and his story but if not, here's a quick rundown. Steven McDonald was a New York Police Department Patrolman. In July of 1986, McDonald was shot three times responding to a report about a robbery in Central Park. He was left paralyzed from the neck down, quadriplegic and in need of a ventilator. In a press conference a couple months after the incident, McDonald had announced he forgave the shooter for his actions and became a spokesperson for forgiveness. In what can only be defined as the worst of times, Steven McDonald made the best of it and always kept moving forward.
Following the 1987-88 season, the New York Rangers established the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award, a trophy that would be given to a player along with a $25,000 check made out in the players name to the Steven McDonald Foundation. McDonald loved the New York Rangers and spent his life an avid fan, in the years following his injuries McDonald would attend as many games as he could and along with his family, would always be there for the ceremony of awarding a player with his trophy. Until 2017 however, when he would unfortunately pass away at the age of 59. Since his passing the award has only gained a higher honor and his son who is now grown and following in his Dad's footsteps as a NYPD Sergeant, presents the award beside his family.
It's tough to put it all into words but this night and the award that goes with it means so much to the Rangers organization and the fans. So much so that in the last two draft lotteries, when the Rangers had a chance to get high draft picks, Jeff Gorton and the rest of management would borrow McDonalds #104 police badge to hold as a good luck charm. It's worked out pretty darn well since the Rangers landed the first and second overall pick in the last two seasons. A sign that Steven McDonald is still watching and routing for his favorite team.
It will be interesting to see who receives the award this year. Some years there are obvious front runners or guys who with no question deserve it, however this year there are definitely multiple names that could be the best guess for it. Mika Zibanejad has won the last two years and has certainly overcome some obstacles this season that could result in his third award in a row. Artemi Panarin is another one with a strong case to receive it as is Adam Fox and Pavel Buchnevich and my own personal vote, Ryan Lindgren. The list goes on and on, there's a great bunch of guys on this team who represent what it means to be a New York Ranger so well. Steven McDonald would have loved watching this team and seeing these young guys grow every night.
As for the game itself, if you're the New York Rangers there's no other choice but to win this game. The wins are extremely important as we approach the final push to playoffs and with everything behind the Steven McDonald award and the pregame ceremony that comes with it, there's no doubt the boys will be ready to run through walls and do anything it takes to win this game. Expect the same line up barring a Jacob Trouba return and expect the energy at Madison Square Garden to be through the roof.
Chris Feldman
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