Andy Bathgate, a prolific right wing and Hockey Hall of Famer whose retired No. 9 Rangers jersey hangs in the rafters at Madison Square Garden, died Thursday at age 83. The Rangers and the Hockey Hall of Fame confirmed the death and did not give a cause.
Bathgate leaves behind a legacy that stretched from his hometown of Winnipeg to his ascension as a star and fan favorite in New York in the ‘50s and ‘60s. In 1958-59, he was the first Ranger to score 40 goals in a season and was awarded the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s Most Valuable Player.