1924: National teams from Canada and the USA in action during an ice hockey match at the Winter Olympic Games at Chamonix. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
What happened on August 14 in the history of the New York Rangers
On this date in 1926, the fledgling New York Rangers signed Clarence “Taffy” Abel, the first U.S. born player to become a regular in the NHL. Conn Smythe signed him to play in New York based on his performance at the Olympics two years before.
Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Abel was the flag bearer for the United States at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix and he scored 15 goals for the silver medal winning Team USA.