Things are not the same for former New York Rangers center and television analyst Ron Duguay. He is no longer with MSG Network and it is as much a mystery to the fans as it is to himself.
Ron Duguay felt a little out of place during opening night for the New York Rangers.
He was at the Garden, greeting fans as he always does, but this time he wouldn’t be crossing 7th Avenue to prepare for his spot as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.
For the first time in 12 seasons, Duguay would not be doing his regular pre and post-game shows along with Al Trautwig. The frustrating part of this sad situation is Duguay doesn’t even know why his contract was not renewed.
Speaking with Justin Terranova of the New York Post, he wanted to get his side, with the little information he has, to the fans.
“The reason for that [confusement] is that MSG was not clear to the fans and media on why I was not coming back. They made it appear like it was a mutual agreement and that I wanted to do other things. That was not the case at all,” Duguay told Terranova.
Duguay really felt lost during the opening night ceremonies as many fans were asking why he wasn’t returning. The constant questioning by the fans has taken its toll over the past few weeks and Duguay needed to let fans know that he indeed wanted to continue as a TV analyst.
As the Rangers preseason began, the former center was not on the air, Duguay tweeted that he would not be returning after 12 seasons and wanted to thank the fans for all of their support.
Thx for your support,I’ve truly enjoyed the last 12 years being a face and voice for the @NYRangers fans!!! https://t.co/lOREZfED0e
— Ron Duguay (@RonDuguay10) September 20, 2018
MSG had made only one comment regarding the network not renewing his contract. The tweet read,
“We would like to thank Ron for his contributions to MSG Networks over the years, and wish him all the best moving forward,” an MSG spokesman said in a Sept. 20 statement which was reported by Neil Best of Newsday.
The Statement by MSG made it sound like it was an amicable departure. Duguay wanted to set the record straight that leaving MSG was the furthest thing from his mind.
Duguay and his agent requested a reason why he would not be returning but never received an answer.
The fan favorite since late the 1970’s continues to be involved with the organization making appearances at alumni events. He will still continue to work with former Rangers Colton Orr and Stefan Matteau on a Legacy Program through Woodlawn Cemetery for fifth- through eighth-grade students in The Bronx.
The plan is to write a book in the near future about his time as New York Ranger in the 1970 and 1980’s. What a story he will tell living in New York City, the nightclub scene, and some great hockey.
Working for another organization is not an option for this Blueshirt. His blood is too blue to bleed anywhere else in the National Hockey League.
