Since last week’s post discussed Rod Gilbert, it’s only fitting to cover his teammate and right-hand man – Jean Ratelle. Jean Ratelle was a centerman for the New York Rangers from 1963-1975, who exhibited extreme class and talent on ice. It’s said that Ratelle was not given enough credit for his unique playing style, especially during the age of hockey in which he played in. Any person can see his jersey in the rafters at Madison Square Garden, yet few know his great achievements and the impact he had on the organization. So, let’s get into it!
Jean Ratelle was born on October 3, 1940 in Quebec, Canada but moved to Montreal when he was young. It was in Montreal that he met his best friend and soon-to-be teammate, Rod Gilbert, at high school. At their school, Ratelle experienced and played on his first organized hockey team. Rod Gilbert landed a spot on the Ranger’s junior team in Guelph and helped his friend join the organization. While Gilbert went pro in 1962, Ratelle did not reach the NHL until 1964. This was due to his clean playing style. Coaches and organizations wanted rougher players as their centermen, yet Ratelle was a classy player who never used dirty tactics in his plays.
Ratelle joined the Rangers organization and the NHL in 1964, therefore being reunited with his best friend and under the same coach they had both had while in the junior leagues. After becoming a regular on the team, Ratelle displayed his tremendous talents and exhibited a style of playing that was rare for the time period. Just like Gilbert, one of the most notable moment in his career is his involvement in the GAG line (Goal-a-Game), beginning in 1970. This was a line composed of him, Rod Gilber and Vic Hadfield. The three each had different styles of playing yet collaborated and dominated the league. They weren’t called the Goal-a-Game line for no reason – Hadfield earned a 50-goal season and Gilbert reached career highs in goals, assists and points, which was all due to the plays Ratelle executed. After the creation of the GAG line, Ratelle recorded his first 20-goal season. At the end of his career, Ratelle had 491 goals, 776 assists and 1,267 points in 1,281 games, placing him sixth on the NHL’s all-time scoring list at the time.
Check out some of Jean Ratelle’s greatest achievements and awards:
- Bill Masterton Trophy: 1971
- Lester B. Pearson Award: 1971
- First Ranger to reach 100 points in a season: 1972
- Lady Byng Trophy: 1972, 1976
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: 1985
- Name one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players: 2017
Ratelle retired from the NHL after 20 outstanding years in 1981. While never winning a Stanley Cup, Ratelle left a lasting impact on the league and served as an excellent role model for players looking to play with class and a level of fairness. His jersey and number 19 were retired by the Rangers organization in 2018. This ceremony brough the GAG line back together, along with other Rangers legends. Ratelle’s legacy will always remain within the Rangers organization and its fans and stands as an example of respect, elegance and talent.