The Rangers Player Who Declined An NFL Career To Play Hockey

When the Rangers were organized in 1926, they signed a multi-sport hero out of Dartmouth College. Myles J. Lane was both a football and hockey star who preferred a pro ice career over the gridiron.

Lane was a defenseman and only a mildly successful rookie compared to future Hall of Fame teammate Ching Johnson.

At the time, Eddie Shore of the Bruins was regarded as the NHL's best all-round backliner. Lester Patrick was well aware of the difference between his young Lane and the world-renowned Shore.

But one of the Madison Square Garden directors had heard about Shore and decided he should be a Ranger. What's more he ordered Lester Patrick to make a deal with Bruins' boss Art Ross.

"Tell Ross we'll give him Myles Lane for Shore," was the command.

Patrick knew that a Shore for Lane deal was as dumb as offering a batboy for Babe Ruth. But Lester had no choice so he sent Ross the proposed Myles Lane for Eddie Shore exchange.

The telegram that Ross sent back to Patrick remains an all-time hockey classic: YOU ARE SO MANY MYLES FROM SHORE YOU NEED A LIFE PRESERVER!