News Article: Fans help Del Zotto reunite with young friend

[Punxrocknyc19*]

this is a great story and it needs his own thread...


http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=708432&navid=nhl:topheads



"He wasn't too happy that's for sure," Del Zotto said. "But I tried to explain to him it is part of the business and stuff like this happens. So he understands better now. I also told him that no matter where I am, we'll always be best buddies. So that eased the moment, I think, but it's safe to say he wasn't too pleased."

The bond they have formed is so strong that when Rangers fans found out Del Zotto was traded they flooded Liam's Twitter account, saying they were thinking of him and encouraging him to "hang in there."

One Rangers fan took his compassion a step further and launched a website called "Get Liam To Nashville" (http://liam.myevent.com/) in an effort to reunite him and Del Zotto at a Predators game; the Rangers don't play the Predators in New York again this season.

Click to read more...

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

Wow that's great. Wish I had known about this so I could have donated.

 

[Mikos87]

this is a great story and it needs his own thread...


http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=708432&navid=nhl:topheads



"He wasn't too happy that's for sure," Del Zotto said. "But I tried to explain to him it is part of the business and stuff like this happens. So he understands better now. I also told him that no matter where I am, we'll always be best buddies. So that eased the moment, I think, but it's safe to say he wasn't too pleased."

The bond they have formed is so strong that when Rangers fans found out Del Zotto was traded they flooded Liam's Twitter account, saying they were thinking of him and encouraging him to "hang in there."

One Rangers fan took his compassion a step further and launched a website called "Get Liam To Nashville" (http://liam.myevent.com/) in an effort to reunite him and Del Zotto at a Predators game; the Rangers don't play the Predators in New York again this season.

Great thing the Rangers fans did for Liam. I never understood the vitriol in which this board displayed towards DZ. He was and is a quality guy.

For some reason the teenagers here and those that have yet to mature always portrayed him as this party boy that was unfocused on hockey.

It just goes to show you how well the Garden of Dreams and the Rangers organization treat kids and those in need. They always have done a great job of raising quality citizens who help the community, and much of that goes unnoticed. There is also Hockey in Harlem which makes a tremendous difference for local kids who have been overlooked all their lives.

So hearing that fans chipped in to make this happen is a great thing. I hope someday members on this board display the sort of maturity in the future as they grow up.

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

Great thing the Rangers fans did for Liam. I never understood the vitriol in which this board displayed towards DZ. He was and is a quality guy.

For some reason the teenagers here and those that have yet to mature always portrayed him as this party boy that was unfocused on hockey.

It just goes to show you how well the Garden of Dreams and the Rangers organization treat kids and those in need. They always have done a great job of raising quality citizens who help the community, and much of that goes unnoticed. There is also Hockey in Harlem which makes a tremendous difference for local kids who have been overlooked all their lives.

So hearing that fans chipped in to make this happen is a great thing. I hope someday members on this board display the sort of maturity in the future as they grow up.

i didnt have a problem with Del Zotto as a person since i dont know him as a person.. im just glad that that he found a home on the Preds and hopefully it works out for him on that team.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

So hearing that fans chipped in to make this happen is a great thing. I hope someday members on this board display the sort of maturity in the future as they grow up.

You do understand that this board has come together to support good causes more than once right?

I can mention a couple of examples:
- The Garden of Dreams
- Get well Mike Sauer
- Donations (via a wedding shower registry) for the NYR fan, police officer and ex marine who was beat up by Philly fans.

Yeah, guys voice their frustration with players, but mostly it's a good bunch of people. In all ages.

 

[Mikos87]

You do understand that this board has come together to support good causes more than once right?

I can mention a couple of examples:
- The Garden of Dreams
- Get well Mike Sauer
- Donations (via a wedding shower registry) for the NYR fan, police officer and ex marine who was beat up by Philly fans.

Yeah, guys voice their frustration with players, but mostly it's a good bunch of people. In all ages.

Hey that's awesome, never knew about that. Mostly read nothing but complaints on the board, and saw years of Avery worshiping on here lol.

But that is excellent. Good to see, especially taking care of those that protect and serve.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

You do understand that this board has come together to support good causes more than once right?

I can mention a couple of examples:
- The Garden of Dreams
- Get well Mike Sauer
- Donations (via a wedding shower registry) for the NYR fan, police officer and ex marine who was beat up by Philly fans.

Yeah, guys voice their frustration with players, but mostly it's a good bunch of people. In all ages.

The police donations thing was amazing. His wife wrote the nicest thank you card, too.

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

The police donations thing was amazing. His wife wrote the nicest thank you card, too.

Yeah, I got one too and it was very personal and moving.

We really should get a Garden of Dreams pledge drive going, though. There are more kids like Liam out there.

 

[Rangerfan4life90]

Totally forgot about the Mike Sauer card thing we did on here. Did we ever sent out that card?

 

[North Star]

this is a great story and it needs his own thread...


http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=708432&navid=nhl:topheads



"He wasn't too happy that's for sure," Del Zotto said. "But I tried to explain to him it is part of the business and stuff like this happens. So he understands better now. I also told him that no matter where I am, we'll always be best buddies. So that eased the moment, I think, but it's safe to say he wasn't too pleased."

The bond they have formed is so strong that when Rangers fans found out Del Zotto was traded they flooded Liam's Twitter account, saying they were thinking of him and encouraging him to "hang in there."

One Rangers fan took his compassion a step further and launched a website called "Get Liam To Nashville" (http://liam.myevent.com/) in an effort to reunite him and Del Zotto at a Predators game; the Rangers don't play the Predators in New York again this season.

Love Del Z. Great guy, great story.

Miss Zucc and Del Z joking around after games. Hope he comes back to us, somehow. (after he becomes a better player)

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Yeah, I got one too and it was very personal and moving.

We really should get a Garden of Dreams pledge drive going, though. There are more kids like Liam out there.

I'm down. I need the tax deductions.

 

[eco's bones]

Great thing the Rangers fans did for Liam. I never understood the vitriol in which this board displayed towards DZ. He was and is a quality guy.

For some reason the teenagers here and those that have yet to mature always portrayed him as this party boy that was unfocused on hockey.

It just goes to show you how well the Garden of Dreams and the Rangers organization treat kids and those in need. They always have done a great job of raising quality citizens who help the community, and much of that goes unnoticed. There is also Hockey in Harlem which makes a tremendous difference for local kids who have been overlooked all their lives.

So hearing that fans chipped in to make this happen is a great thing. I hope someday members on this board display the sort of maturity in the future as they grow up.

It wasn't vitriol. He wasn't improving and he was a weak link on our D and he was heading for a potential arbitration in the off season and he was already getting more cap $'s than he was worth. That doesn't mean DZ was a bad guy. The same business just went on with Callahan. He wanted a lot more cap $'s than he was worth--so he got moved.

 

[redfzn]

absolutely love this.

 

[One Winged Angel]

I was a fan of MDZ and still hope that he does well in Nashville (obviously not at the Rangers' expense) but he was a victim of circumstance and misuse. I think he was a lot better than people give credit for and from everything I've ever heard about the guy from people who have met him, he's a really cool and nice guy. I've heard bad things about some others on the team (won't name any names), but MDZ was not one of those guys and is one of the good guys off the ice.

Never understood the vitriol and hate towards Avery either. Loved being here, loved the fans, played his heart out for us and was basically castrated by Tortarella, which ruined his career.

If anything the hatred should go towards Torts, who ruined his career and drove him and Gaborik out of NY.

 

[RomanEmpire]

Just wanted to say hats off to any of you guys that may have helped set this up. Absolutely awesome stuff to see. Very classy on y'alls part.

 

[Wamsutta]

This is incredible and makes me very proud to be a Ranger fan. I wish I had known about this, I would have donated in a heartbeat. Liam and his bond with Torts will always be the most memorable part of 24/7 for me, and I remember getting genuinely excited to see Liam at that dog walk event back I'm 2012. I'm glad Liam was able to go see MDZ. What a feel good story.

 

[frozenrubber]

The curse of Liam continues...

Maybe the next one out of town?

 

[Punxrocknyc19*]

I was a fan of MDZ and still hope that he does well in Nashville (obviously not at the Rangers' expense) but he was a victim of circumstance and misuse. I think he was a lot better than people give credit for and from everything I've ever heard about the guy from people who have met him, he's a really cool and nice guy. I've heard bad things about some others on the team (won't name any names), but MDZ was not one of those guys and is one of the good guys off the ice.

Never understood the vitriol and hate towards Avery either. Loved being here, loved the fans, played his heart out for us and was basically castrated by Tortarella, which ruined his career.

If anything the hatred should go towards Torts, who ruined his career and drove him and Gaborik out of NY.

i agree. i hope Del Zotto does well.. he still has skill and in the right situation he will be a solid player.. he just was not a good fit the past few years.. it happens.. Klein has been solid for us.. its a win for both teams..

 

[wolfgaze]

Nice article...

 

[Idlerlee]

What a wonderfully good human being Del Zotto is

 

[TheTakedown]

Great thing the Rangers fans did for Liam. I never understood the vitriol in which this board displayed towards DZ. He was and is a quality guy.

For some reason the teenagers here and those that have yet to mature always portrayed him as this party boy that was unfocused on hockey.

It just goes to show you how well the Garden of Dreams and the Rangers organization treat kids and those in need. They always have done a great job of raising quality citizens who help the community, and much of that goes unnoticed. There is also Hockey in Harlem which makes a tremendous difference for local kids who have been overlooked all their lives.

So hearing that fans chipped in to make this happen is a great thing. I hope someday members on this board display the sort of maturity in the future as they grow up.

I don't know why he's been portrayed like that. He handled his situation in NY with class, and was never a problem for the rangers under the spotlight. His play, and only his play, was the reason he did not remain here, but you cannot **** on the guy for anything beyond that.

 

[phillyb]

i think i'm crying

 

[SixGoalieSystem]

I'm down. I need the tax deductions.

Nice. Thread is up here. Hope it gets going.