02-18-2020, 11:34 PM(This post was last modified: 02-18-2020, 11:34 PM by JayWhy.)
#30 – F – Benjamin Wong (S18 – S19)
122 GP, 60 G + 59 A = 119 P, +37, 46 PIM, 58 Hits, 7 SB, 460 S, 21.83 MPG, 2.68 P/60
The second highest points per 60 in Rage history belongs to Benjamin Wong, the goal scorer extraordinaire who caught the fanbase by storm as he appeared to put up a goal every other game. Another near point per game player, the only hindrance for Wong is that his time was short lived in Manhattan. His name was mostly made in Toronto, and after Manhattan he appeared in New England for one season as well. However, in his time here, he made a significant impact in helping pull the Rage from a three season streak of missing the playoffs to help them to the Conference Finals each season. He was named to the end of season All-Star team in S19.
Starkonov is a case of opportunity yields results. Starkonov was brought in at the start of the most recent rebuild for the Rage, and went from a career-high in Los Angeles of 17 points in 50 games, to putting up 30 points in 50 straight seasons with a career-high of 42 in S43. He was a wildly successful player in all three phases of the game one reaching Manhattan after failed trips in Minnesota and Los Angeles, which made him a hero to the Rage faithful who were looking for a reason for hope.
Similar to Starkonov, Kikkoman was brought in for the kick off of the rebuild and immediately made himself a hero to fans. Having accomplished a career-high of 5 goals and 26 points in S38 before struggling in S39, Kikkoman found himself in a new home and immediately kicked off to 8 points in the last 14 games of the season. He went on to set a career high with 42 points in S40, and having 30 or more points in 4 of his 5 seasons in Manhattan. He is top-10 all time in hits, and considered one of the best offensive defensemen in Rage history with a frequent what if question being if he had joined the team in its current iteration to contribute his offense to the team making consistent trips to the playoffs.
#27 – G – Josef Heiss (S9 – S14)
269 GP, 121-116-19, .890 SV%, 2.72 GAA, 10 PIM, 21 SO, 6 A
One of the first legendary goaltenders of the Rage, Heiss was known to have gone through growing pains early in his career, getting a total of 19 wins in his first 92 games. He persevered to win 24 or more games in each of his last four seasons in Manhattan and get himself over .500. He still holds the record for most shutouts in Rage history at 21 and has the second lowest GAA of all Rage goaltenders. He was named to post-season All-Star teams in S10 and S13, and was nominated for the McBride every season from S11 onward as one of the best goaltenders in the league. Heiss was incredible in his time before heading to Toronto from Manhattan before flaming out.
Kulikov was an inconsistent player throughout his career, putting up 20 points in S10 and 17 in S13. However, when he was on his game, he was unmatchable. Kulikov put up a career high in points in S11 when he scored 72, placing him among the best single seasons in Rage history. Had he found the consistency to meet a 50 point threshold once more in his career, he likely could’ve gone down as the greatest offensive player in Rage history. Rather, he’s somebody who represents the what the Rage have historically been -- high potential, but mixed results.
After winning his first Stevens Trophy of his career in S17, Scherbluk made the surprising decision to head to the borough and make his impact in the big city alongside his brother Yousuf and good friend Benjamin Wong. Putting up 17 goals and 53 points in his first season on the team, and 7 goals and 45 points in his second, Scherbluk continued his dominance to win his second and third consecutive Stevens Trophy in the midst of a five season run of nominations. He was a dominant player in his short time in Manhattan, reminiscent of Erik Chisling, and his impact is such that you still see his jersey in the Garden and he is frequently referenced when comparing current players to legends of old.
#24 – F – David Kastrba (S45 – Present)
502 GP, 56 G + 138 A = 204 P, -17, 265 PIM, 1120 Hits, 83 SB, 827 S, 14.39 MPG, 1.69 P/60
Joining the team following a trade down in the S42 draft, Kastrba has been an impact player up and down the line-up for the Rage. In spite of being among the fewest minutes per game on this list, Kastrba has become a fan favorite and captain on the team as a leader on and off the ice in the community. His 1120 hits are second all-time for the Rage, and his 83 shot blocks as a forward place him as one of the best defensive forwards in Rage history. He has helped the team to three Conference Finals appearances and has been an integral part in the best six season run in franchise history.
#23 – F – James Dekens (S43 – S51)
502 GP, 129 G + 144 A = 273 P, -18, 79 PIM, 303 Hits, 79 SB, 1180 S, 16.93 MPG, 1.93 P/60
Dekens came to the team during the fames S42 draft in a trade down, and from that point became majorly successful. In S43, he earned the Ryan Jesster trophy after putting up 30 points in his rookie season. Following that success, he continued to have at least 30 points in each of his first 5 seasons in the league and became the first Rage player since Luke Atmey to top 20 goals in back to back seasons from S46 and S47. S46 was his career year, totaling 45 points, and in spite of not surpassing the 40 point threshold again, Dekens long term impact on the team is still being felt and made him a major star as a goal scoring icon in the fanbase.
#22 – F – Daniel Merica (S21 – S26)
305 GP, 122 G + 149 A = 271 P, -5, 244 PIM, 575 Hits, 115 SB, 1294 S, 26.65 MPG, 2.00 P/60
A highly controversial figure in Seattle, Merica joined the Rage and helped push them into an immediate contender status. A near point per game player, he was physical and aggressive. He put up over 50 points in each of his first two seasons, as well as being a key piece to the Rage winning their first Cup after twenty seasons in the league. He eventually worked into a management role, which was equally controversial and led to trouble off the ice, however nobody can doubt his impact to the team in every way.
#21 – D – Erik Chisling (S6 – S8)
160 GP, 27 G + 96 A = 123 P, +13, 240 PIM, 318 Hit, 210 SB, 490 S, 25.34 MPG, 1.82 P/60
Though better known now for his role as the General Manager of the New England Wolfpack, back in the early years Chisling was a beloved member of the Rage family. He experienced his greatest success in the borough, as he put up 51 points in 60 games in his first season, winning his first of two back-to-back Stevens Trophies and forever etching his name in stone for the Rage. His success saw him nominated for the Stevens and for post-season All-Star teams each season in Manhattan before moving on. While he is now consistently talked about as an enemy, he is still remembered fondly for his playing days as one of the best of all time.
An old man's dream ended. A young man's vision of the future opened wide. Young men have visions, old men have dreams. But the place for old men to dream is beside the fire.