As John Davidson stepped to the microphone, chants of “J.D.” could be heard in the background from the highlight video tracing his career arc.
Owner James Dolan welcomed him back home, where he excelled as a player and broadcaster for nearly three decades. Familiar faces were everywhere, from former MSG Networks broadcast partner Sam Rosen to former players Adam Graves and Brian Leetch and onetime teammate Rod Gilbert.
Davidson’s voice nearly cracked as he began to address the gathering at the Garden on Wednesday morning for his introductory press conference as the team’s new president.
“Dreams do come true,” he began, five days after he left the Blue Jackets to take the same job with the Rangers.