A fairweather Rangers fan wouldn't know this is a thing, and they'd definitely be missing out. Every year, the organization hosts Casino Night at Gotham Hall. The event includes a buffet, various casino games in session, auctioned goodies (including a goalie stick autographed by Henrik Lundqvist and retired great Mike Richter), and an appearance by the entire Rangers squad. The proceeds went to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to aiding the impoverished. To date, the Foundation has assisted 250,000 children and their families, including those facing homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care.
This was also a black tie/formal event, which means you'd look very out of place if you learned you were attending a little over an hour beforehand ("So a black guy in a green sweater and Timbs walks into a formal hockey function..."). This is a high-class event, with middle aged women in fur coats strolling down the red carpet and men in crisp bow ties conversing as they sipped blue wine (GO RANGERS).
In a way, it's symbolic of the Rangers' position in New York sports right now. The Giants missed the playoffs again after losing to the Jaguars, the Knicks barely resemble an NBA basketball team right now, the Nets continue a middling existence, and the Yankees and Mets are probably not going to do that much damage this coming season. After losing to the Kings in five games at last year's Stanley Cup, the Rangers are still one of the best teams in the NHL. They bounced back from a rough start to the season and are currently holding down fourth place in the east, poised to make another deep run in the playoffs.
Basically, now would be a good time to re-ignite your hockey interest if you're one of New York's many ailing sports fans. I briefly spoke to Rangers center Derick Brassard about why that's a good idea. To paraphrase what he said: We're good. You should watch.
1.
So what would you say to the Knicks fan with a passing interest in your sport?
I’ve been to a game last year, but I’ve been courtside this year. LeBron was playing and the way they play under the rim and everything—it’s pretty physical. Our game is similar. It’s fast, it’s fun to watch and I think we have a pretty good team. Probably one of the best teams in the league. Every time we go on the road, we [see] a Rangers fan. It’s just fun to watch.
Do you chop it up with the other teams in the arena?
We share a practice facility so we see them once in a while. Tim Hardaway Jr. is actually one of the nicest guys there. It’s fun sharing the same arena.
What do you guys talk about?
When we see each other, we talk about the next game… I know it’s been a tough season, but the future is bright for them.
We lost the Finals, so obviously it's in the back of our minds.
We’re gonna be in the playoffs. We just have to take care of business and go from there. That’s something we did last year. We just take it one round at a time and find a way.
