The Funniest And Most Serious Rangers Goalie

Over my more than a half-century covering the Rangers, goalie Lorne (Gump) Worsley stands out as the funniest fella ever to lace on a pair of pads.

And the most serious as well.

Lorne – he got his nickname because of his resemblance to 1950's comic book character Andy Gump – was a rookie in 1952-53 when the Blueshirts were pretty shabby.

Curious, a New York reporter was wondering which team gave freshman Worsley the "most trouble."

Worsley shot right back: "The RANGERS!"

Years later, after nasty coach Phil Watson blamed a loss on Worsley's "beer-barrel belly," newsmen rushed to Lorne's locker for a comment.

Gump: "It shows you how dumb Watson is, I only drink Johnny Walker (whiskey) Red!"

In a more serious mode, Worsley was cornered by author Dick Irvin, Jr. and asked which was the greatest team of all-time. Worsley picked the 1956-60 Montreal Canadiens who remain the only team ever to win five consecutive Stanley Cups.

"They had everything," Gump explained, "and it was tough to be in the nets against them because everybody could score goals. When I played against them we spent 80 percent of the time in our own end of the rink.

"That's not a surprise when you figure their lineup: Rocket Richard, Pocket Rocket, Jean Beliveau, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Dickie Moore, Doug Harvey. I can go on and on. They had too much power for everyone -- a super hockey club!"