Rangers come to Winnipeg for the first time

The New York Rangers make their first trip to Winnipeg this season. Every team that makes the trip this season are going to be asked about their thoughts on the return. As a Winnipegger, I know how much we love to hear positive things about the city.

Without further adieu, here are the comments:

Martin Biron:

“It’s exciting and it’s fun to be back and play in front of passionate fans in a city that got their team back. They are going to be loud and it’s very exciting, everybody’s happy to see a franchise having support like that and thriving. It’s fun for everybody, not just us Canadian guys. We’ve got a lot of guys who are excited to take part of this and play well.”

Erik Christensen:

“I think they deserved it (getting a team back), I think most Canadian cities probably do, with the amount of support they get. Whether it’s a small town or a big city, this is hockey country and I think (there was) a lot of talk about Hamltion, but I think Winnipeg was the better choice. They had a team previously, and had the Moose for a number of years. I think it’s great for the city.”

Brad Richards

“It’s pretty neat, to see hockey back. Growing up you’d always see the Winnipeg Jets, and how great the fans were. Anytime you can play anywhere in Canada; as a Canadian kid coming back, it’s always different, there’ s a different feel with the fans. It’s just another Canadian city now that we get to come to, I’m sure this place will be rockin’ and it’s very exciting.”

“It’s a lot easier as a visiting team to come into buildings when you know the crowd is rockin’. You’ve got to be really ready because they’re (the opponent) going to come extra hard. Sometimes it wakes you up, and gets you into games. You go into Montreal, Toronto, you’ve got a lot of Canadians (players) on your teams, it’s always a little different, a little more stressful. (Other teams) will probably find the same thing; with big crowds it’s probably a little harder.”

Not everyone gave a positive opinion of the city. Coach John Tortarella, who has been short with the media recently, was asked about his thoughts on the return to Winnipeg, and gave his honest answer (as tweeted by Ken Wiebe).

“No, I have no comment. I’m just worried about our team.”

It’s hard to blame Tortarella for feeling that way, the Rangers are at the tail end of a seven game road trip to start the year. They have gotten off to a 2-2-2 record and have yet to play a game at home. The Rangers last game was vs. Edmonton on Saturday night, losing 2-0.

New York looks to rebound and finish the road trip on a positive note tonight in Winnipeg.