NEW YORK, April 27, 2022 – New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider has been named the winner of the first annual Rod Gilbert “Mr. Ranger” Award, given to the Rangers player “who best honors Rod’s legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice, and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
“I’d like to congratulate Chris on being the inaugural winner of the Rod Gilbert “Mr. Ranger” Award,” Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury said. “Since he made his debut with the Rangers a decade ago, Chris has consistently and willingly devoted his time and efforts to charitable endeavors, especially through the Garden of Dreams Foundation. Chris’ contributions in the community exemplify the kindness and generosity that Rod demonstrated throughout his life. The leadership qualities Chris has shown in the community have translated into him becoming a leader for our team in the locker room through the example he sets on a daily basis. Therefore, it is only fitting that Chris is the first annual recipient of this award, which he has rightly earned.”
A respected voice in the locker room, Kreider has served as an alternate captain for the Rangers since 2018 and has represented the Blueshirts since being drafted by the club in 2009. His hard work and dedication on as well as off the ice comes with great impact for thousands of children, which he supports through the Garden of Dreams Foundation (GDF), Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey is for Everyone, Season of Giving and Essential Worker Night in arena.
Through Kreider’s work with Garden of Dreams Foundation over his career in New York, he has formed and maintained relationships with numerous children and their families. Last December, the Rangers and Garden of Dreams helped coordinate a holiday shopping spree with Kreider for two GDF children who each recently lost a sibling to cancer. Kreider surprised the two children via FaceTime after practice – he wished them happy holidays, talked to them about Rangers hockey, and asked them what’s on their wish lists. Kreider then partnered with a local toy store in Westchester, NY to purchase all the items on the kids’ wish list. He then had the items delivered to their homes with the help of a Rangers alumni.
In November of 2021, as part of Hockey Fights Cancer, Kreider worked around the limitations with COVID-19 protocols and did a virtual hospital visit at a Garden of Dreams partner organization, Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Later in the month, Kreider attended the holiday dinner packing where Rangers players prepared over 150 hot meals for 35 families. Their wives and significant others were also involved, as they helped put together gift bags for the families.
Over his career with the Blueshirts, Kreider has developed a relationship with the Southern Connecticut Storm Special Hockey program and continues to make appearances at their team practices.
On the ice, Kreider has put together a career-year in his 10th season, recording 52 goals and 25 assists for 77 points. His 52 goals are tied for the second most in a single season in team history. Kreider has also broken franchise records for the most single-season power play goals (26) and game-winning goals (11).