In a season when a number of Rangers have regressed, Will Cuylle has been the last word exception.
That truth was not misplaced on the Rangers followers who voted for the 23-year-old ahead to win the Steven McDonald Further Effort Award on Wednesday night time, forward of the Rangers’ 5-4 time beyond regulation win in opposition to the Wild at Madison Sq. Backyard.
“It was pretty cool,” Cuylle mentioned after the sport, through which he posted two blocks and two hits. “Obviously, it’s a huge honor. Such a long-standing tradition, and to see the other names that have won the award, it’s pretty cool to be listed with some of those names.”
Cuylle joins Vincent Trocheck (2023-24), Ryan Lindgren (2022-23), Chris Kreider (2021-22) and Adam Fox (2020-21) on a listing of the previous 5 winners of the extremely revered honor, which is introduced yearly to the Ranger who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
The award, which was first given throughout the 1987-88 season, was named after lifelong Rangers fan and New York Metropolis Police Det. Steven McDonald, who was shot and injured within the line of obligation July 12, 1986. He died Jan. 10, 2017, at 59.
Cuylle’s 14 five-on-five targets are tied with Alexis Lafrenière for the second most on the crew behind Artemi Panarin’s 22, per Pure Stat Trick.
His 117 pictures are also tied with Lafrenière for the third most, trailing Panarin (144) and Trocheck (125).
Whereas the Rangers had the fourth-most hits within the NHL at 1,904 previous to Thursday night time’s slate of video games, in addition to the fifth-best hits per 60 at 25.22, Cuylle leads the crew with 281 this season.
“It’s voted on by the fans, so I’m happy that they appreciate my hard work,” Cuylle mentioned. “It’s something I can be proud of and share with my family and people close to me.”
The Rangers return to apply Friday earlier than they face the Devils in Newark on Saturday afternoon.
After scoring in Wednesday’s win, Kreider posted the tenth 20-goal season of his profession.
He grew to become the second Ranger in crew historical past to have 10 or extra seasons with 20 or extra targets, becoming a member of Rod Gilbert (12).
