Mike Sullivans ode to Rangers icon Ron Duguay: A great man

TORONTO — Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan opened up his Thursday morning media availability with condolences on the passing of former Blueshirt Ron Duguay. Duguay, who spent eight seasons of his 12-year NHL career in New York, died on Thursday after a hard-fought battle with colon cancer.He was 69.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.

Former governor of Alaska and his girlfriend, Sarah Palin, confirmed the news. “Obviously, it’s a big loss for all of us,” Sullivan said before the Rangers took on the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena that night.“The Rangers organization, in particular.

We know he was a very popular Ranger.I had the privilege to play with Ron as a teammate for a year in the International Hockey League.

A great man and a terrific hockey player.”Sullivan and Duguay overlapped as teammates during the 1990-91 season with the San Diego Gulls. While Sullivan was at the start of his playing career, breaking into the NHL in October 1991, Duguay was nearing the end and ultimately played parts of five seasons with the Gulls. “I grew up watching some of these guys when he played with the Rangers and I had the opportunity to play with him and Charlie Simmer,” Sullivan said.“Two guys that had pretty, pretty successful NHL careers.

It was the International Hockey League back in the day, for those of you guys that are old enough to remember it. “I was in awe of those two guys because I grew up watching them play in the NHL.Just to have the opportunity to be one of their teammates was a great thrill for me as a young player.” Dylan Garand will make his sixth consecutive start on Thursday night, but Sullivan is wary of the rookie netminder’s workload.  Sign up for Inside the Rangers, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.

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