Member of the New York Rangers staff hold an unusual record in the NHL

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Joshua Deeds
August 11, 2024 (5:57 PM)

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One former NHLer in the ranks of the Rangers assistant coaching staff, holds an impressive, but puzzling record.

Even though you may have seen him at Madison Square Garden and every Rangers game, you'd never know who it was.

It's Rangers associate coach Phil Housley who you'll see discuss strategy with head coach Peter Laviolette.

The unique factor in Housley's NHL career is he played 1,500 games in the league, over 21 seasons and has never won a Stanley Cup.

Although ironically, he did make it into Ross Bernstein's book "Raising Stanley". Since the unfortunate fact is, no one can make the "No Cup" statement, like Housley, according to the Minnesota-born author.

"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 to winning a cup in 1998 with the Capitals but was swept by the Detroit Red Wings in four games 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."

Housley was drafted by Buffalo in 1982, he would retire in 2002-2003. Playing 1,495 games would score 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."

GM Chris Drury hired Phil Housley, with Michael Peca, and Dan Muse in June 2023 under the title of assistant coach.

Housley, along with Peca and Muse who have over two decades of coaching experience, hope to hold the Stanley Cup next summer.

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

Source: The Hockey News
A Rangers Staffer With A Most Unusual Record