GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Rob O’Gara brought an AHL reputation as a dependable defensive defenseman out on the ice for his first practice in a blue Rangers jersey Wednesday. But his new coach found fault with one thing — the rookie’s old pledge of allegiance.
“He’s got one major flaw: I guess he was a big Islander fan growing up,” Alain Vigneault said, smiling. “We’re going to have to work on that. I talked to him about that this morning.”
The 24-year-old former Yale star was born in Islanders country and attended games at Nassau Coliseum. His dad, Brian, was a die-hard fan who worked across the street.