NEW YORK, January 31, 2022 – To kick off Black History Month, the New York Rangers, along with presenting partner Chase, will highlight the trailblazers who broke barriers and continue to lead the global fight for racial equality with Black History Night on Tuesday, February 1, when the Blueshirts take on the Florida Panthers at 7:00 PM at Madison Square Garden.
Throughout Black History Month, the Rangers will amplify their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the game by developing original content to recognize current and former Black NHL players and those who blazed the trail for a better game. In a cohesive effort with the NHL, the Rangers will continue to inspire and elevate the message that hockey is for everyone.
Prior to the game on Tuesday, the Rangers will host youth groups – specifically children from T.E.A.M. (Together Everyone Achieves More) Hockey and Ice Hockey and Harlem, as well as the Garden of Dreams Foundation – to attend a pre-game discussion focused on the importance of education, sports, leadership, and the pursuit of excellence. Panelists for the pre-game discussion include NHL and Rangers alumni Anson Carter and Tony McKegney. Carter played in over 670 NHL games and was a Ranger for parts of two seasons. McKegney skated in the NHL for 13 seasons, including a 64-game stint with the Blueshirts during the 1986-87 season.
In addition, the Rangers will host T.E.A.M. Hockey at MSG for their first organized game ever as they face-off against Ice Hockey in Harlem at three different age levels.
T.E.A.M. Hockey offers free programming that allows students (Ages 14 & younger) in under-resourced communities to have access to critical athletic, academic, civic, and social development opportunities through the sport of hockey. Through participation in the program, kids learn the fundamentals of the game, engage in an active lifestyle, and broaden their life experiences. The program includes both on-ice and off-ice programming designed to build and reinforce core skills and competencies needed to excel in the classroom, in a team setting and in their community.
Ice Hockey in Harlem is a non-profit community-based organization for youth that uses the sport of hockey to promote academic achievement, responsibility, teamwork, and good character.
With the support of the Rangers, the objective of the organization is to provide inspiration, encouragement and guidance to children leading to better life experiences, education, and career opportunities. Since 1987, Ice Hockey in Harlem has enriched the lives of more than 1,000 inner-city boys and girls.
Players on the Rangers will wear custom Black History Night themed warm-up jerseys that will be available for auction after the game. Proceeds of the auction will benefit the United Negro College Fund and the Garden of Dreams Foundation and bids can be placed at https://auctions.nhl.com/NewYorkRangers. The auction will run from February 1 at 7:00PM EST to February 8 at 9:00PM EST. Visit the auction link to learn more about the benefiting organizations.
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