Taffy Abel and the Funny Ranger | New York Rangers News
Published: July 18, 2026
Duration: 1:30
Taffy Abel, the first American-born NHL player and Olympic flag bearer, brought laughs and chaos to the 1928 Stanley Cup-winning Rangers—famous for his beer-fueled antics, off-key harmonies, and dance moves. When coach Lester Patrick tried to teach defensive strategy, Taffy, dozing off, woke up just in time to hilariously repeat “Spread out!”—even when asked what he’d do facing a three-man rush. His charm and humor proved that even in the toughest games, a good laugh can be the winning edge.
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