After closing out the preseason against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night, the New York Rangers got some real life training away from the rink. Following their Saturday morning skate on October 8th, the team and head coach Alain Vigneault got a behind the scenes look at the action going on in their beloved city when they stopped by the New York Police Department headquarters.  The team had visited the 9/11 Museum the day before as part of a series of team-building activities.
On Saturday afternoon,  The team arrived at a NYPD facility outside the Bronx, took a few rounds in the shooting range, as well as wearing the proper bomb resistant gear and working together to solve puzzles. The Blueshirts were split up into three groups of eight players at the shooting range to learn how to fire a gun.  They also worked with the special bomb squad on how to diffuse a weapon, and even took part in some simulation rounds against one another. They met with the special group of officers and first responders who helped diffuse the bomb that was found in a dumpster a few blocks from Madison Square Garden just last month.
According to head coach Vigneault, he was happy his group got to see the training, preparation, and what the whole aspect of being ready for any kind of call is really like. Â Â Henrik Lundqvist says he “enjoyed the afternoon” and “it was great for everyone to see their world”. Â All the players agreed that it was an eye opening day to see how the best of New York City train, as well as what they encounter every single day on the job. Lundqvist added that the NYPD has done so many great things for the team in the city and at games, so it was fun to see how they work. Couldn’t agree more, Henrik. True heroes indeed.
