Former Oilers Forward Living Out Dream Playing For Hometown Rangers

Adam Erne is living out his dream with the New York Rangers.

During the offseason Erne signed a PTO with the Rangers and while it may not seem like a big deal on the surface, for Erne this was truly special.

Growing up in Connecticut, Erne was a diehard Rangers fan and now to be able to play for the team he idolized as a child is something he cherishes greatly.

“This is the closest I’ve been to home,” Erne said. “Feels a little bit more like home to me. Grew up a Rangers fan, so it’s a pretty cool experience for me and my family. The guys have been great, coaches, staff, everythings been really good.”

The 29-year-old forward is in a tough position. Being on a PTO means Erne is not guaranteed a roster spot and that adds a lot of pressure on him to perform through every practice.

“I think every day just bringing my best,” Erne said. “I know it sounds a little cliche, but that’s the truth. Being on a PTO, every day you are here is another good day. Just trying to bring my best each and every day.”

Through his eight seasons in the NHL, Erne has played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, and most recently the Edmonton Oilers.

He sees a lot of similarities between the Oilers and Rangers’ locker room, both being teams with championship aspirations.

“Both are pretty relaxed locker rooms,” Erne said. “I think there's a humble confidence, nothing is taken for granted for sure. I think everyone is eager to start the year and is ready to go.”

At the very least, Erne can say he represented his childhood team, something the vast majority of people would only dream of and that;s something to write home about.