Let's Make The Garden Jump

I know you think you’ve heard every “only in New York” story. I know….

But give me a chance here.

On April 13th at 12:30 p.m. — when there was a deal made — I received calls from a bunch of different players, coaches and front office staff. Two players in particular stuck out: Chris Kreider and Nicklas Backstrom. Both played for the Rangers.

Now, I’ve known Kreids for a while — he was pretty straight up with me about the city, the fans and the media. But it was all good stuff. And Nicklas Backstrom … this guy was leaving the Rangers and he still had so many positive things to say about the organization. He explained how John Hynes was a fair and honest players’ coach and liked offensive players who commit to defense.

I never thought I would like Manhattan as much as I do. I could talk about the culture and food and people all day long. But, for me, the thing that I’ll never get over — and the thing that Kreids and Nicklas tried to describe to me — is the thrill of playing in front of the greatest fans in the world at the greatest arena in the world.

Madison Square Garden is a beauty.

When I stepped onto the ice for warmups before my first game … I mean, I’d like to tell you I had everything under control, but I had never felt my heart beating so fast in my life. I looked up at the fans filing into the stands and … I don’t know, something just came over me. It was like I felt this obligation to do everything in my power to get them on their feet, you know? They expected a show.

We played in the best division in hockey this year and we’re proud of what we accomplished. We want to play a game not a lot of guys in the league play … you know, a heavy game. Really skilled on offense and committed defensively.

So, before we get going on this journey, I want to let Rangers fans know something: I’ll fight for every puck and every goal this playoffs. All of us will.

And as for you guys, I know you’ll bring the electricity. We’ll need your help to make the Garden jump.

#10 Brayden Schenn - Left Wing