Rangers forward shows BC pride
February, 12, 2013

By James Murphy | ESPNBoston.com


BOSTON -- A year ago, New York Rangers forward and Boxford, Mass., native Chris Kreider was celebrating a third straight Beanpot Championship with his Boston College teammates on the ice. Monday night, he was there at TD Garden as a fan celebrating the Eagles' fourth consecutive Beanpot title. Kreider happened to be in town with the Rangers for their game against the Bruins on Tuesday night.

"I think I was able to look at the [Beanpot] game with a different perspective," Kreider said following the Rangers' game-day skate on Tuesday. "I ran into a lot of people I knew, and it was great to see BC win it again."

The 2012 Beanpot seemed like many moons ago for the Rangers rookie, who left for the NHL last spring to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs after helping the Eagles to another national championship and his second in his three years at the Heights.

"It feels like more than a year ago because there's been so much hockey between now and then," said Kreider, who was the 2011 Beanpot Tournament Most Valuable Player and had a goal and assist in last year's championship game. "It's crazy to look back and realize it was a year ago I was playing in that tournament."

Kreider has a goal and an assist in six games this season, but he made a splash in the playoffs last spring helping the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference finals with five goals and seven points. He is now one of 26 former Eagles currently playing in the NHL, and was sure to credit his former coach Jerry York for where he is now.

"Talk to anyone who has had the opportunity to play for him at BC and they're extremely grateful for the opportunity he's given them," said Kreider, who was thrilled to see York break the all-time wins record for NCAA Division 1 coaches this season. "I don't think we have enough time to really talk about him, but he's such an amazing leader and coach. He's finally getting all the accolades and credit he deserves, but you'll see he's quick to distribute the credit."

One more classy ex-BC athlete.