Ratel, Jean

The career of one of the most outstanding graduates of the Quebec hockey school, Jean Ratel, could have ended without really starting: at the age of 23, the young striker suffered a serious back injury. Fortunately, Jean's operation was successful and the young hockey player returned to a great sport - back to make one of the most exciting careers in the history of the NHL .

Quebec hockey school graduates have left their mark - in addition to the Montreal Canadiens , the leading team of French-speaking Canada, in the history of many NHL clubs. In the case of Jean Ratel, these were the “ New York Rangers ”, to whom he gave 15 years of life, and “ Boston Bruins ”, where he, after finishing his playing career, worked for more than 20 years, until his retirement.

By the time Jean Ratel joined the New York Rangers, the team was frankly bad: the team had been in crisis since the mid-50s, staying behind the Stanley Cup year after year. Everything changed in the mid-60s, when the Rangers were led by former club player Emil Francis; "Rangers" again became a serious force, which had to be considered yesterday's unconditional league leaders. At the same time, “New York” had one of the brightest not only in the history of the club, but also in the history of the whole league of triples - “ ” (short for “Goal-A-Game” - “goal for game "): Vic Hadfield - Jean Ratel - Rod Gilbert. In its brightest season - 1971-72 - all three forwards of the link entered the top five league scorers, and the Rangers that year reached the Stanley Cup final, where they were stopped on the verge of the Boston Bruins trophy. Not surprisingly, the three Hadfield - Ratel - Gilbert in full force appeared in the national team of professionals of the NHL, who opposed the USSR national team in the first hockey Super Series .

In 1974, GAG line broke up: Vic Hadfield was traded to Pittsburgh , and a year later Jean Ratel left the team: he was exchanged to Boston for Phil Esposito . The exchange did not prevent, however, for the second time in his career, Jean Ratel to conquer the grandmaster achievement: 100 points scored per season. In 1981, Jean Ratel ended his hockey player's career, but did not quit hockey, remaining to work in “Boston”, first as an assistant coach, and then - until retirement - as a scout.

Hockey legacy of Jean Rathier

Jean Ratel has never had a chance to raise the Stanley Cup over his head, but despite this, he still remains one of the most respected hockey players in the world.

The skill of Jean Ratel was given credit not only teammates

“He was very strong at skating, and his stride was smooth as silk. He was great at the point of departure. He had very strong arms and hands. ”

- Rick Middleton ^[1]

“When he was injured, there was no one who could replace his glasses and his leadership. There is a great emptiness. It was the year when we really understood what Ratel means for our team. ”

- Vic Hadfield ^[1]

but rivals

“Ratel was among the first players who skillfully played with their hands and feet. With his vision, technique and skating, you could not just play against him in the body. He had many ways to beat you. ”

- Larry Robinson ^[1]

“He was very bright and well kept the puck. He could maneuver and wait for players on the flanks to create a position for good throws. He had the same hockey sense that made Gretzky great. Ratel had a great wrist cast and was probably the best backhand in the world on those days when we played flat sticks. ”

- Stan Mikita ^[1]

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Jean Ratel is often compared with other remarkable hockey players, the French Canadian - Jean Belivo , and not only because hockey players are namesakes and played in the same position, but also because they were outside the hockey platform - these gentlemen from hockey.

“He is a very special person, very unselfish. He reminds me very much of Jean Beliveau, on and off the ice as he behaves, with his modesty. I can not find the right words about his personal qualities, his hockey records speak for themselves. "

- Vic Hadfield ^[1]

In this sense, the Lady Bing Trophy and Bill Masterton Trophy won by the Rater are quite eloquent, the prize to the player who demonstrated the example of honest wrestling and gentlemanly behavior and the prize to the hockey player who showed high sportsmanship and loyalty to hockey.

As part of the Canadian team, Jean Ratel took part in the 1972 Super Series , where he scored 4 (1 + 3) points in 6 matches played.

• Winner of the Lady Bing Trophy (2): 1972, 1976
• Winner Bill Masterton Trophy : 1971
• Winner Lester Pearson Award : 1972
• Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame since 1985.

• List of NHL players who scored 1000 or more points
• List of NHL players who played 1000 matches or more

• Jean Ratel - statistics on The Internet Hockey Database (English)