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John Davidson fired as Rangers’ president
Columbia Valley son John Davidson’s tenure as president of the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers has come to an end.
Davidson and Rangers’ general manager Jeff Gorton were this morning relieved of their duties by the original six NHL franchise’s ownership.
The move comes hot on the heels of the Rangers’ scathing public statement yesterday, demanding the removal of NHL Director of Player Safety George Parros for only levying a $5,000 fine on Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson for his actions in a May 3 game against the Rangers.
In a scrum in front of the Capitals’ net, Wilson attacked Rangers’ winger Pavel Buchnevich while he was prone on the ice and then body slammed scoring star Artemi Panarin to the ice. The incident has finished Panarin for the season.
Incensed with repeat offender Wilson only getting a league maximum fine as opposed to a multi-game suspension, the Rangers stated in part: “We view this as a dereliction of duty by NHL Head of Player Safety, George Parros, and believe he is unfit to continue in his current role.”
TSN’s Darren Dreger this morning reported he’s been told Davidson’s and Gorton’s firing is “coincidental and not related to the statement issued yesterday related to Tom Wilson. Another source says ownership felt the Rangers underachieved this season.”
The Rangers have been eliminated from playoff contention with three regular season games remaining. Despite a disappointing season, the club is considered to have a bright future.
Davidson, who won 123 games as a goalie for the St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers between 1973 and 1983, became president of the Rangers on May 17, 2019. He has also served as president of the St. Louis Blues and Columbus Blue Jackets, following an outstanding career as a TV colour commentator for the Rangers.
The Rangers and Capitals play one another tonight, with Wilson in the line-up and Panarin out.
e-KNOW
