A Rangers Staffer With A Most Unusual Record

A rarely-noticed Hall of Famer in the Rangers organization holds a record that's unique in its own schizophrenic way.

And you'll never guess who it is although you've seen him at every game.

It's none other Blueshirts Associate Head Coach Phil Housley who you'll often see whispering strategy into Head Coach Peter Laviolette's left ear.

Talk about unique, this Housley guy from St. Paul played almost 1,500 NHL games over 21 seasons yet never has been on a Stanley Cup-winner.

But he did make it into Ross Bernstein's wonderful book, Raising Stanley. The Minnesota author put the Rangers' aide in his historic work precisely because nobody else I know can make Housley's "No Cup" statement.

"It's a big disappointment for sure," Housley told Bernstein, who's also an award-winning business speaker, "Because that's why you play this game. It's the ultimate accomplishment in hockey. But it just wasn't in the cards for me."

Housley came close in 1998 when he played for Washington but the defending champion Red Wings were just too good and whipped the Capitals in four straight.

"I had a very good career," Phil went on, "And my numbers speak for themselves and I'm proud to have been part of a lot of great teams and have a lot of memories."

Drafted by Buffalo in the first round, 1982, he retired after the 2002-03 season. Over 1,495 games, he totalled 1,232 points (338-894).

Housley: "Not winning the Stanley Cup has not been the end of the world for me. I know a lot of Hall of Fame players who never won a Cup. It's the toughest trophy to win in sports and it takes the efforts of an entire team, not just one individual.

"Timing, luck, the team you play on, a bounce here or there – those all factor in at the end of the day. But not having won The Stanley Cup will never define me as a player or a person."

Rangers GM Chris Drury hired Housley in June 2023 along with Michael Peca and Dan Muse, each with the title of assistant coaches.

Along with Housley, who has two decades worth of coaching experience, the trio hope to embrace Stanley next June.

Or, as Phil once told Ross Bernstein, "My dream is alive. I still have a chance to raise Stanley!"

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