New York Rangers hold training camp MSG Training Center in Tarrytown
New York Rangers hold training camp at MSG Training Center in Tarrytown. John Meore/lohud
The Boss Ice Arena at the University of Rhode Island has hosted some high-profile local games over the years, but not many of those skaters can claim to be NHL stars.
On Monday, Oct. 6, Boss hosted the New York Rangers of the NHL as part of a “preseason retreat,” according to Brigid St. Leger, director of marketing for the Ryan Center and Boss Ice Arena.
The visit by the Rangers was kept under wraps, as the team played its final preseason game in Boston – a 4-1 loss to the Bruins – on Saturday, Oct. 4. The public wasn’t allowed in, but the rink did have some spectators on Monday.
“As a thank you for sharing the rink, [the Rangers] did allow the URI men’s and women’s hockey programs to watch,” St. Leger said.
She added that this was not the Rangers’ first time at Boss. The team held a practice skate at the arena back in 2022, and it was that “great experience” that helped bring the team back this season. St. Leger explained that Boss did charge a fee to the team. “It is a rental agreement that we have hosting the team,” she said.
The Rangers, who opened the regular season with a 3-0 loss at Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Oct. 7, are coached by Marshfield, Massachusetts, native Mike Sullivan, who was named head coach in May, taking over for Peter Laviolette, who was fired April 19 after two seasons. Laviolette is a Franklin, Massachusetts, native who played for the Providence Bruins in 1990s.
Another Rhode Island connection to the Rangers is Brett Berard, a fifth-round draft selection of the Rangers in 2020 who starred for Bishop Hendricken and Providence College.
St. Leger said that Boss “loved hosting the Rangers” and the team is certainly welcome to return.