Troy, N.Y. — The New York Rangers are coming to the Capital Region.
On Tuesday at the revitalized Knickerbocker Arena in Lansingburgh, County Executive Steve McLaughlin and Mayor Carmella Mantello announced a partnership between the City of Troy, Rensselaer County, and the New York Rangers that benefits youth hockey in the (518). For the first time ever, the Junior Rangers Program makes it ways to the Capital Region, giving youth a chance to play hockey and learn from the pros.
This partnership works directly with the Troy-Albany Youth Hockey Association where Madison Square Garden and the Rangers coordinate a ten-week training program. Each participant will receive a full hockey equipment package.
Retired NHL player and former New York Ranger Brian Mullen was in attendance to talk about the Jr. Rangers, what they do and his excitement level on sharing his skills and knowledge with the next generation of hockey players.
We’re in 55 rinks around the tri-state area and I run around to all these rinks, myself, Adam Graves, Stéphane Matteau and a few other guys. We’ll show up, walk into a rink and then get on the ice with these kids. I get to have a blast with them. No matter where I go, whatever rink I’m in, I’m having fun with these kids. Like I said, I have the best job in the world. -Brian Mullen (Retired Former New York Ranger, Jr. Rangers Coach)
The Rangers run this program in 55 different rinks around the tri-state area, hoping to grow the game of hockey by giving kids the chance to learn a new sport. The first session at the Knick begins in September.