The New York Rangers know how to tug at the hearts of fans. Friday night’s National Anthem was fittingly sung by John Amirante.
The New York Rangers concluded a wonderful celebration of the 25-year anniversary of the 1994 Stanley Cup victory. With the teams preparing for the National Anthem, the announcement came to stand and the tears began to flow.
“Now we go to center ice for the singing of our National Anthem and to John Amirante.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, John Amirante! #NYR pic.twitter.com/RpGsOi4Klp
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 9, 2019
The magic of 1994 continued as the video scoreboard above center ice showed Rangerstown favorite, John Amirante, sing the anthem. It was video from the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals as the crowd at MSG soaked it all in.
The video then proceeded to show all the Rangers standing on the blue line and on the bench. Not the 2018-2019 Rangers but the 1993-94 Blueshirts—Joey Kocur, Stephane Matteau, Brian Noonan, and Alex Kovalev.
What an incredible flashback in time. In the corner near the Zamboni entrance was spotlighted. The Rangers carpet laid on the ice and a microphone stand stood alone—a fitting tribute to the late John Amirante.
This was an amazing touch. Well done. pic.twitter.com/WJqfrsWB9Q
— Tom Urtz Jr. (@TomUrtzJr) February 9, 2019
Sam Rosen called that stand “John’s place” and he was so right.
The Rangers and MSG went all out for the special evening. The current team wore their white jersey’s for tonight’s game, along with some old time graphics that MSG Network put up on the screen.
This is amazing! pic.twitter.com/NnaaLvUQ9o
— Tom Urtz Jr. (@TomUrtzJr) February 9, 2019
MSG kicked off the night’s events with the original opening to every game in the 1994 season. Tonight the graphics were the same as what was used during the telecast during that special season.
25 years later and it almost felt like nothing has changed, though things have changed so much in that time. John may no longer be with us, but his spirit and heart will be everlasting at the Garden.
If you close your eyes and listen to him you would think it was 1994 all over again.
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