Rangers Hall of Famer lands prestigious role, replacing Lanny McDonald

Mike Gartner, the only player in New York Rangers history to score at least 40 goals three times, will become the new chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame next year.

The Hall announced Monday that Gartner, 64, will take over for Lanny McDonald when the 71-year-old’s 10-year term expires in 2025. Gartner will assume the role of chair-elect on Oct. 1. He has been on the Hall’s selection committee since 2009, eight years after he was inducted himself as a player, and has served as the committee chairman for the past three years.

“Lanny has been an incredible leader for everyone involved with the Hockey Hall of Fame over the past 10 years,” Gartner said. “I look forward to continuing his excellent work carrying out the Hall’s mission of both honoring individuals who have brought special distinction to the game while preserving and telling the story of hockey’s rich history.”

Gartner is eighth on the all-time NHL goal-scoring list with 708, including 173 in four seasons with the Rangers, who acquired him from the Minnesota North Stars in a trade for forward Ulf Dahlen on March 6, 1990. He also scored 14 goals in 29 Stanley Cup Playoff games with New York and was voted MVP of the 1993 NHL All-Star Game after scoring four goals.

The speedy right wing with the powerful shot ranks 20th in Rangers history in goals despite playing far fewer games (322) than anyone ahead — or even behind — him on the list. Gartner averaged .54 goals per game with the Rangers, so roughly better than one goal every two games.

Related: Alexis Lafreniere’s expectations among 5 biggest differences from last Rangers camp

Rangers’ great Mike Gartner lands new role at Hockey Hall of Fame

Gartner was a hit in New York from the day he arrived, scoring 11 goals in 12 games after the trade to help the Rangers finish first in the Patrick Division — their first first-place finish of any kind since 1941-42. He followed that by scoring 49 goals, one short of Vic Hadfield’s team record at the time, in 1990-91, then scored 40 and 45 goals the next two seasons. Gartner had 28 goals in 71 games when the Rangers traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs for forward Glenn Anderson on March 21, 1994, costing him a chance at winning the Stanley Cup.

He scored at least 30 goals in each of his first 17 full seasons (excluding the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season) and retired after 1997-98, his 19th NHL season. Gartner finished his career with 1,335 points (708 goals, 627 assists) in 1,432 games for the Washington Capitals, North Stars, Rangers, Maple Leafs and Phoenix Coyotes, as well as 43 goals and 93 points in 122 playoff games. He was named to the NHL 100 Greatest Players in 2017, the League’s centennial season.

Gartner served as president of the NHL Players’ Association from 1996 until his retirement. He represented the NHLPA on the HHOF board of directors from 2006-09 and served as the association’s director of business relations.

“I am thrilled to pass the torch to Mike, whose stature as an honored member will bring continuity and strong leadership during this transitional period for the Hockey Hall of Fame,” McDonald said. “His experience and perspective in the business of hockey and longtime service on the selection committee will be a tremendous asset to the Board.”

Subscribe now on YouTube and be part of a community where passion for the New York Rankers knows no bounds!

More must-reads:

• Rangers won’t get Igor Shesterkin for less than $10 million annually on next deal: NHL insider
• Adam Fox reps Rangers, throws strike at Citi Field before latest Mets win
• Giant Rangers prospect had ‘pretty funny moment’ during NHL Draft