What It Was Like When Hockey Players Were Not Filthy Rich

When the hockey world learned the other day that an eleven-million dollar contract for Igor Shesterkin was inadequate, I felt that I had to tell you this true Rangers story.

It took place in 1939 during The Great Depression when Blueshirt boss Lester Patrick named Frank Boucher head coach and assistant general manager. At their meeting Lester – alias The Silver Fox – handed Boucher a pad and a pencil.

“Write this down,” said Patrick. “Last season the Rangers total players’ payroll amounted to $76,000. I want you to put down the names of our players and the amount he should be paid.”

Boucher did what he was told. In Frank’s book, “When The Rangers Were Young,” he recorded what he did next:

“I divided the sixteen players into $76,500 and came up with an average salary of roughly $4,700. Depending on the player, I told Lester that I’d give some guys a bit more and some a bit less.”

And what do you think Patrick paid his new coach and assistant general manager – pay attention, Peter Laviolette – for his promotion?

“I signed a Rangers contract as coach and general manager for $4,500!” reported Boucher. “But you have to remember in those days, eggs were five cents a dozen and butter five cents a pound. You could buy a Ford for $700.”

Had a goalkeeper named Igor Shesterkin been around then, Patrick would have given him a contract for, maximum, $4,500.

And what if Iggy demanded more?

The Silver Fox would have handed him a one-way railway ticket to the Blueshirts Philadelphia farm team and then added three little words.

“ENJOY THE MINORS”