As many expected, the New York Rangers are hiring a familiar face as team president. On Friday, they welcomed John Davidson aboard.
John Davidson has finally returned home. New York Rangers owner James Dolan announced Friday that the team hired John Davidson to serve as team president.
“I am excited and humbled to be named the President of the New York Rangers,” Davidson said via NHL.com. “The opportunity of rejoining the Rangers organization and returning home to New York, where my family and I have spent so many wonderful years, was one I simply could not pass up. I want to thank James Dolan for offering me this chance to come home. I would also like to thank John P. McConnell for the opportunity to join the Blue Jackets organization in 2012, his guidance, support, and friendship over the last seven years, and for allowing my family and me to embark on this new journey with the Rangers. Additionally, I would like to thank the St. Louis Blues organization for giving me an opportunity to join their front office in 2006 and spend six fantastic years there.”
Davidson is replacing Glen Sather who stepped down from the same position in early April.
Earlier on Friday, Davidson stepped down as president of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He held the position for eight years which was highlighted by the organization’s first playoff series win when the Blue Jackets eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in a four-game sweep.
Speculation had grown that JD would return to New York ever since Sather announced that he would step down as team president in March. The only other name mentioned along with Davidson’s was former Tampa Bay Lightning executive Steve Yzerman.
Yzerman went on to accept a position with the Detroit Red Wings, leaving the door open for a JD-New York Rangers reunion.
Earlier on Friday, the Rangers posted a quick video to Twitter. The letters “JD” flashed with fans in the background chanting out “J-D.” This fueled speculation that Davidson was making his return to Madison Square Garden.
JD! pic.twitter.com/0qnCurehuq
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 17, 2019
The Hockey Hall of Fame presented Davidson with the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a broadcaster. In 2004, he received the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
Davidson will now continue to work on the team’s rebuild along with general manager Jeff Gorton.
