Incredible But True Rangers Story: A New Yorker Starts A Blueshirt Trend

Nicky Fotiu was not your normal New Yorker since normal New Yorkers had never before earned a spot on the Blueshirts roster.

But Fotiu was different. 

A native of Staten Island, he was determined to become the first native New Yorker to play for the team he rooted for since he was a kid.

Nick cut his puck teeth after travelling all the way from Staten Island to the Skateland Rink in New Hyde Park. Slowly but relentlessly he made it to the World Hockey Association's New England Whalers in 1974 and, incredibly to the Rangers in the fall of 1976.

Fotiu's first grand play honoring his NHL promotion took place on September 23, 1976 at The Garden. Nicky now was a Ranger and getting ready to start his first preseason game. The date was September 23, 1976 and the warmups had begun.

Suddenly, Fotiu picked up a puck, looked skyward to a fan in the Blue Seats atop the arena. Those were the very Blue Seats that Nicky had occupied as a much younger Rangers fan. 

Fotiu's gesture seemed nice enough and very little was made of it – except for Nicky. From that point on, the Staten Islander who wanted to be a Ranger continued his puck-tossing tradition until his Rangers' career ended!

(Postscript: In that game against Boston, Nicky scored the game-winner in a 7-5 New York win. After the game, he told the media horde: "I'd like to have been in the stands watching me!")