Ryan Callahan Appreciation Thread

[The Crypto Guy]

Yup, I'm doing this.

Ryan may never play another NHL game, but more importantly may not have a normal life with the disease he has been diagnosed with. Our Captain for 4 years, and a Ranger for 8 years..he gave his body and heart every single game at 110% with us. All that has now caught up to him.

Thank you Ryan for everything you did for our organization, you were the true definition of a heart and soul player and I hope every one of our guys has the same heart you did.

I wish for a speedy recovery if that is even possible with this, but more importantly hope you are able to have a normal and amazing rest of your life with your wife and 3 children.

Thank you for everything you did for this organization.

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[Tawnos]

He was a great Ranger and even though they were a better team and got closer, those 10-11 and 11-12 teams are probably my favorites of the era... and he was the leader.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

Hattteeddd the way that he left here but props to him on putting together a solid career despite not really having any physical advantages.

Hope the back issue isn't too debilitating for him. Back issues are a bitch.

 

[mrhockey193195]

One of my all time favorite players. Terrible news. I really wanted Tampa to win the cup so he (and McD and G) could win one.

 

[Leonardo87]

Thanks for posting this. Really sucks. I know some Rangers fans were bitter with his contract stalemate but he gave so much when he was here. Deserved a better fate. Even thought he’d come back and finish where he started.

 

[SML2]

He was a great Ranger and instrumental in the change of culture for this team. He was also smart enough to go for the big money because I think everyone could see a guy who plays that hard wasn't going to be able to play that long. Good luck to you Cally. The good news is he's a good guy with a good reputation and I am sure there is a role for him somewhere in the game if he is interested.

 

[Fugazy]

Sucks how he left the team but he was the leader during the resurgence years. Always grateful for the effort he gave each and every game.

 

[Doctyl]

Well thats one way out of cap hell

 

[n8]

Did BriseBois make the recommendation? Or the doctor?

 

[Holocene]

I wasn't his biggest fan but I try to remember his time here fondly solely just for participating in this goal:

 

[CasusBelli]

Always loved the guy and will remember his contributions and attitude fondly. I hope we can find a role for him in the organization — regardless of how he left the team. Great ambassador for the organization.

 

[MrAlmost]

Too bad. He was a great player. I think he’s a good candidate for the rangers too hire in player development. Could be a very good move.

 

[Crease]

One of the most important Rangers of the last decade.

 

[Barnaby]

I'm thankful. I'm thankful we didn't resign him!

In all seriousness, great Ranger. He came up through the system and proved himself every step of the way up to being named Captain. I hope his prognosis is more geared towards avoiding future injury, and doesn't effect his day to day. Best wishes to him. He was a big part of some of my favorite Ranger teams. He gave it all on the ice following a long period of guys who got their money and didn't seem to care all that much.

 

[Thirty One]

Nothing but love.

 

[n8]

this is the one I remember Cally for

 

[BroadwayStorm]

If I'm the Rangers I put this guy in player development from day one. If you want a Ranger to be a winner and a f***ing warrior you want him to be influenced by Ryan Callahan.

 

[Machinehead]

A lot has been made of his deficiencies since he left but:

-He made a very solid career despite them.

-The team he led also had deficiencies (a lot of the same ones, actually) but they also got more out it than they should have. They don't do that without him.

Whether you liked the culture or not, he represented the identity of a pretty good Rangers team in 2012.

 

[Machinehead]

Also, I've pointed out that many of the risks he took were over the top and hurt us in terms of injuries and tactics, but he still took the risks for the team.

He's a guy who always meant well.

I don't fault him for how he left or the contract thing. He knew he was headed for a short career with his recklessness and he had to set himself and his family up.

 

[Chaels Arms]

Marian Hossa type move. Smart by TB. DDD is not the life ending disease the newspapers are making it out to be. At age 35 30% of the population likely has DDD to some extent. That rate is probably higher and earlier in athletes due to the wear and tear. Any of you guys 35 and up go to get an l-spine or c-spine MRI you likely have DDD to an extent.

 

[PuckLuck3043]

Loved Cally. Loved his attitude and leadership and he was pretty damn good player too. Wish him well.

 

[EpicDing]

Man, one of my favorites from those teams. Hope they bring him on for the expanding player development roles, he'd be a great fit.

 

[nyr2k2]

I never really got over his departure. I understand the business angle for him, but I'm a fan, and I don't have to care about that. He was my favorite non-Lundqvist player, my avatar here for many years. I was a stupid fan, taking it personal.

If he came back in some capacity I'd probably welcome him with open arms. I still hurt, though.

 

[LORDE]

I met him once and he was awesome.

Later he left two playoff tickets for game 4 in Tampa for my friend and me.

Class all the way.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

One of my favorite Rangers ever. I remember when he first was called up against Buffalo in late 2006 after scoring like crazy to start off his minor league career and was sent back down. I followed him that entire season and it was cool to watch him finally come up the end of 2007 and for the playoffs.

Met him in 2007, cool guy.

In a lot of ways he was us. The hardworking kid from the NY suburbs (well in his case Rochester) who got to make it with hard work. Not a high pick but he made the most of his opportunity. Was so awesome when he became captain.

2010-11 and 2011-12 were two of my favorite seasons as a fan (the 2011-12 regular season was better than the 2013-14 regular season, playoffs were a very different story).

I'll never forget the clinching goal to get in the playoffs against Carolina in 2013 and the image of Stralman hugging him. That was one of the most surreal days and weeks of my life watching that game on a friend's Playstation while being on the West Coast after Coachella before a wedding and hours later wearing all my Rangers gear to a party and meeting some girl who would mean a lot to me over the next few years.

I always think the funniest thing though was back home on the East Coast, I had two g/fs during his time with the Rangers and both got sick of hearing about him and I'd always get the "oh you don't want to go out, you're choosing Callahan and the Quvist guy over the bar again" So yeah, he left a mark in my life.