Saw the below retweet from Bob McKenzie. I had to look up who Don Raleigh was, which just goes to show I suppose what a short memory this world has (or probably, more accurately, just shows my ignorance of more distant NYR history). Apparently he was one of the most popular NYR of his era, one of the leading figures in their 1950 SCF run. RIP.
@ralcopter: @TSNBobMcKenzie can I get a RT for my grandpa and NYR star Don "Bones" Raleigh who passed away peacefully today at 86
http://pic.twitter.com/mkmcFCRv
http://rangers.nhl.com/club/atrplayer.htm?id=8448243
BIOGRAPHY
One of the most popular players in Rangers history, Don "Bones" Raleigh actually began his career with the Blueshirts at the age of 17 and remains the youngest player to have ever played for the team.
Called up to play for the team in 1943 while other players were serving in World War II, Raleigh was off to war himself the following year and did not return to the Rangers until 1947. He served in the Canadian Army from 1944 to 1947 while also attending the University of Manitoba. By the time he returned to the Rangers, he was 21 and ready for a nine-year run with the team.
Raleigh was one of the Rangers` top scorers throughout the early 1950s and scored nine points in the team`s 1950 run to the Stanley Cup Finals. He scored back-to-back overtime goals for the Blueshirts in that series, helping push the Red Wings to a seventh game.
Raleigh set a Rangers record of 42 assists in one season in 1951-52 — a record that stood four years until broken by Andy Bathgate. He also represented the Rangers in two All-Star Games and was the team captain for two seasons.
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