Kreider/York article in the Sunday Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/29/sports/hockey/rookie-chris-kreider-is-in-vital-role-for-rangers.html?_r=2Kreider Speeds Into a Vital Role
By CHRISTOPHER BOTTA
Published: April 28, 2012
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When Chris Kreider scored to break a 1-1 tie in the third period on Saturday, he did not just electrify the crowd at Madison Square Garden. At a convention of collegiate hockey coaches in Naples, Fla., Jerry York pumped his fist and smiled.
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Jason Szenes for The New York Times
Chris Kreider scored in the third period to give the Rangers the lead in their opening game against the Capitals.
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“I was a very proud coach,” said York, Kreider’s coach at Boston College until three weeks ago, when the Eagles defeated Ferris State for the N.C.A.A. championship. “I’m here at a hotel with a bunch of my peers and the Rangers have so many recent college players — Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin. My guy Chris scores a goal. How can you not feel incredible about that?”
Kreider, who signed with the Rangers three days after winning the college title, has had that effect lately. Ever since Coach John Tortorella called him “an interesting cat” during the Rangers’ first-round series with Ottawa, Kreider has demonstrated what he was talking about.
Along with some scratching and clawing, Kreider has used his speed to become a vital factor in the Rangers’ title hopes. On Saturday, Kreider broke a 1-1 tie with a goal seven minutes into the third period and assisted on Brad Richards’s goal 90 seconds later.
“He’s showing us something more and more every night,” Richards said of Kreider.
In just his sixth game in the N.H.L., Kreider found himself making the interview rounds minutes after the Rangers’ victory.
“The entire experience is pretty overwhelming,” said Kreider, who turns 21 on Monday.
But he has not been overwhelmed between the singing of the national anthem and the sound of the final horn, which is what Tortorella alluded to. Kreider’s demeanor in the locker room is the same calm he exhibits on the ice.
“He didn’t say much when he first got here,” defenseman Dan Girardi said. “I’m sure he wanted to be the quiet kid, just trying to fit in. But we’ve encouraged him to say what’s on his mind, to ask any questions he may have.”
As a result, said McDonagh, Kreider “started asking a lot of questions.”
Kreider appeared bashful when these comments were relayed to him. He grinned a lot but didn’t say much as he sat in his locker-room stall, wearing the Broadway Hat — given by his teammates to the lunch-pail hero of the game — for the first time.
“This was only my sixth game, but I feel like I’ve been around a lot longer,” Kreider said. “I guess it feels that way because of all the help I’ve had.”
He regularly exchanges texts with York, who is not as surprised about Kreider’s rapid ascent as just about everyone else.
“You have to remember, he didn’t come from the University of Nowhere,” York said. “Chris played in two world junior championships for Team USA and was a part of two N.C.A.A. titles with us. But you do have to give him credit for stepping into the biggest market in the country and not just looking comfortable, but excelling.”
York is not alone with his Boston College pride. After Kreider’s third-period star turn, Parker Milner, his goaltender at Boston College, wrote on Twitter: “Are you kidding me, Kreids. Word is they are chanting Kreider at MSG.”
The chant could become a custom this spring. In a tight game, Kreider’s ability to create space for himself with speed is crucial. At the end of the second period, there were a total of 45 hits recorded in the game — 25 by the Rangers, 20 by the Capitals. At the same time, there were a combined 21 shots on goal by the teams — 13 by the Capitals and 8 by the Rangers.
One play made the difference in the third period. Kreider received a pass in the neutral zone from Stepan, skated into the offensive end and blasted a slap shot by Braden Holtby, the Capitals’ goalie.
After the game, Richards was asked if he had any idea Kreider would become so important to the Rangers.
“No, not really,” Richards said. “This is a pretty high level he’s jumped into. It shows you his learning curve, shows you his hockey I.Q. I didn’t expect that to happen.”
Neither did the Capitals.