Could the Rangers’ Next Brad Park Be Hidden in Plain Sight at Training Camp?
You might wanna keep your eyes peeled this training camp—sometimes, just sometimes, the Blueshirts stumble upon a real gem hidden in plain sight on the ice. Yeah, it’s a longshot, no doubt; odds often aren’t in your favor. But hey, if Vinnie Vegas has taught us anything, it’s that those improbable finds can—and do—flip the narrative. Now, take my personal pick for that shiny 14-carat nugget: 22-year-old Scott Morrow outta Connecticut—that’s right, Chris Drury’s home turf. I’m getting to him, but first, let me spin you a quick yarn about how I came to “discover” none other than the legendary Brad Park; well, discovered in a manner of speaking.
Flash back to September 1968—Brad Park’s rookie camp, where making the team seemed about as likely as snagging the lottery. Nobody knew the kid, and Rangers’ GM Emile “The Cat” Francis was dead set on a towering defenseman named Al Hamilton, who looked like a lock. Meanwhile, I found myself sharing the stands with a couple and their son, a young man rocking a light blue sweater—that kid? Douglas Bradford Park, Brad’s own flesh and blood, just hanging out before practice. An hour of watching had me shaking my head; this kid was hands down the best defenseman out there, miles ahead of Hamilton.
Despite this, The Cat shipped Park off to Buffalo, clinging to his bet on Big Al—only to realize later he’d bet wrong and ended up calling Park back to the Rangers, where he blossomed into the franchise’s best defenseman since Harry Howell, and tougher on offense than anyone expected. Hamilton? He bounced around, never quite cracking that All-Star mold. If Brad Park could slip away from his parental watch and carve out a Hall of Fame legacy, who’s to say Scott Morrow from Darien, Connecticut, won’t pull a similar surprise? Especially considering the Hurricanes just handed him over to Chris Drury’s charge. Stranger things have happened—heck, Brad Park himself would back me up on that one.
Don’t be surprised if your Blueshirts find a diamond on their training camp ice. Granted, it’s a longshot, but Vinnie Vegas will tell you that longshots do come in.
My personal favorite as the 14-carat gold find happens to be 22-year-old Scott Morrow from – coincidence-coincidence – Chris Drury’s state, Connecticut. But The Maven will get to Morrow in a moment.
First I must tell you a quick story about how I – personally – discovered Hall of Famer Brad Park. Well, sort of “discovered” him.
This was Park’s first training camp in September 1968 and he was so far from making the big club I’d say it was about 99-1 against him. I mean nobody knew this kid.
Rangers GM Emile (The Cat) Francis had his heart set on a tall defenseman Al Hamilon who seemingly had a job locked up.
Meanwhile, I was sitting in the stands with a husband and wife with their son who was wearing a light blue sweater. It happened to be Mr and Mrs. Park of Toronto and their son Douglas Bradford. That’s how I “discovered” Brad Park — sitting in the stands.
We three schmoozed a little and then Brad excused himself to suit up for the workout. An hour
of watching left me shaking my head; Mr. and Mrs. Park’s son was the best darn D-man on the ice. (And I don’t mean maybe either!) Much better – I might add – than that big Hamilton guy.
When camp finally ended, Cat was so set on Hamilton making the team, he foolishly dispatched Park to Buffalo and kept Big Al except that – after a while – Francis realized that he was in error and promoted Douglas Bradford Park to the big club, alias the Rangers.
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You know the rest. Brad emerged as the best Rangers defenseman since Harry Howell and better for sure on offense. Hamilton bounced around but never came near All-Star calibre as Francis had hoped.
If Sir Park could excuse himself from his parents to begin a Hall of Fame career, who’s to say Scott Morrow of Darien, Conncticut won’t fool everyone – especially the Carolina Hurricanes who dumped Morrow on Chris Drury’s lap – and become a latter-day Park.
Hey, it could happen. And if you don’t believe The Maven, the estimable, worthy and personable Brad Park will gladly underline my point.
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