It was not merely the creation of a hockey team when the Rangers came to be; an unprecedented legacy was created, which would last for nearly a century. While professional hockey already existed in New York, with the creation of the Rangers, a bitter rivalry was born, identity was forged, and a culture and fanbase were created to carry it through time. The genesis of this vision did not spring from mere sporting ambition, but from the ambition to take hockey one step higher in the second-largest metropolis in the world.
The New York Rangers arose amidst rivalry and ambition
In 1925, when February was chirping the fateful cries of the New York Americans' NHL debut at New York's Madison Square Garden , the city witnessed the New York Americans in their first NHL bout at the Garden in 1925. The Americans started from the former Hamilton Tigers franchise, forcefully seized by none other than the Prohibition empire William “Big Bill” Dwyer. Spam Tex Rickard said, "The start for the Americans began at this very arena."
Good attendance in those days must have caught the interest of MSG employees. Colonel John S. Hammond, then a very tall person in the Garden, realized that not merely hosting hockey games but having a team to compete against the Americans directly would be an opportunity worth developing. He went on to conceive a fierce local duel of a sort that New Yorkers were so familiar with through their baseball experience of the day.
Hammond resigned from the Americans and set about creating his team. On May 15, 1926, the NHL formally approved the creation of its second New York franchise. Originally called the New York Giants Professional Hockey Club, the title was soon discarded. Local sportswriter George Haley gave it a new nickname, "Tex's Rangers," standing for Rickard, and that moniker stuck as the New York Rangers.
From a branding perspective, management momentarily toyed with a Wild West-style logo, celestial perchando on a cowboy and his horse. However, they later felt comfortable with a simple, elegant shield with the word "Rangers" slanting across a blue uniform. This decision solidified the nickname that would remain with the team for years to come—the " Blueshirts ." While the Americans wore medal jerseys designed after the U.S. flag, the simpler, emblazoned Ranger uniform allowed the new team to begin carving out its own identity in the New York sports sphere.
Also Read: New York Rangers secure future with Igor Shesterkin’s deal, Callum Tung’s potential signing and Gabe Perreault’s arrival
From a business concept spawned in the shadows of Madison Square Garden to becoming one of the most emblematic teams in the NHL, the New York Rangers carry a storied origin littered with rivalry, ambition, and identity. Almost 100 years down the line, the Blueshirts still remain a pillar of professional hockey, proudly wearing the mantle of their glory in every game they play.
The New York Rangers arose amidst rivalry and ambition
In 1925, when February was chirping the fateful cries of the New York Americans' NHL debut at New York's Madison Square Garden , the city witnessed the New York Americans in their first NHL bout at the Garden in 1925. The Americans started from the former Hamilton Tigers franchise, forcefully seized by none other than the Prohibition empire William “Big Bill” Dwyer. Spam Tex Rickard said, "The start for the Americans began at this very arena."
#TodayInNYRhistory 5/15/1926: Birth of "Tex's Rangers"- NHL awards new franchise to MSG president Tex Rickard. @NYRangers 1st game 11/16/1926. pic.twitter.com/LE6zCdP62Y
— NYR Alumni Reports (@NYRalumni) May 15, 2025
Good attendance in those days must have caught the interest of MSG employees. Colonel John S. Hammond, then a very tall person in the Garden, realized that not merely hosting hockey games but having a team to compete against the Americans directly would be an opportunity worth developing. He went on to conceive a fierce local duel of a sort that New Yorkers were so familiar with through their baseball experience of the day.
On this day in 1926, the Blueshirts were born.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 15, 2025
Read more about the birth of the franchise: https://t.co/STcxfdMaa6 pic.twitter.com/5tLtPc8Dcn
Hammond resigned from the Americans and set about creating his team. On May 15, 1926, the NHL formally approved the creation of its second New York franchise. Originally called the New York Giants Professional Hockey Club, the title was soon discarded. Local sportswriter George Haley gave it a new nickname, "Tex's Rangers," standing for Rickard, and that moniker stuck as the New York Rangers.
On this day in 1926, the NHL expanded, adding another team in New York, the Rangers, and two more clubs in Chicago and Detroit #Hockey365 #NYR #Blackhawks #LGRW pic.twitter.com/5W5ssUOuPD
— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) May 15, 2025
From a branding perspective, management momentarily toyed with a Wild West-style logo, celestial perchando on a cowboy and his horse. However, they later felt comfortable with a simple, elegant shield with the word "Rangers" slanting across a blue uniform. This decision solidified the nickname that would remain with the team for years to come—the " Blueshirts ." While the Americans wore medal jerseys designed after the U.S. flag, the simpler, emblazoned Ranger uniform allowed the new team to begin carving out its own identity in the New York sports sphere.
Also Read: New York Rangers secure future with Igor Shesterkin’s deal, Callum Tung’s potential signing and Gabe Perreault’s arrival
From a business concept spawned in the shadows of Madison Square Garden to becoming one of the most emblematic teams in the NHL, the New York Rangers carry a storied origin littered with rivalry, ambition, and identity. Almost 100 years down the line, the Blueshirts still remain a pillar of professional hockey, proudly wearing the mantle of their glory in every game they play.
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