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Big Apple, Big Money,
SEPTEMBER 18, 2007 -- NEW YORK -- The 51.5 Million Dollar Man, Scott Gomez, met with the media via conference call Tuesday and discussed his new club, the New York Rangers, his Alaskan beginnings and his former team, the New Jersey Devils, where he made his name for seven seasons, winning two Stanley Cups in the process. While Devils' GM Lou Lamoriello accepted a July, 2006 arbitrator's award of five million dollars for the Calder Trophy-winning Gomez's services last season, the price proved too high for Lamoriello this summer, and Ranger GM Glen Sather was the big winner, signing the center to a seven year, $51.5 million deal. "I cashed it all in and went hog wild for a week," Gomez joked. "Obviously the main thing is that my folks and everyone's taken care of…I'm not a jewelry or car guy." It's suspected that "Gomer," as he's known, will be centering superstar Jaromir Jagr's line. "I've been fortunate to play with some talented wingers, but I think this guy (Jagr) right now, we're talking about probably (one of the) top five greatest hockey players ever to play," Gomez says. But he has to be careful not to spend too much time being dazzled. "It was kind of like playing with Mogilny for the first time," Gomez remembers. "You kind of forget he's on your line. You just kind of watch what he does." Surely it's sacrilege for a popular Devil to end up in New York, with the Rangers? "I'm sure that I'm not going to get a standing ovation," Gomez says about future returns to New Jersey to play the Devils. His profile will be much higher in the Big Apple, and Gomez welcomes the opportunity to be responsible for growing the game. He doesn't think he'll be modeling anything, but will do what it takes. "Whatever it takes to sell the game," smiles Gomez. "I knew what I was getting into when I came to New York." As the first Alaskan NHLer, and the first Latino ever drafted by an NHL team, Gomez follows in the footsteps of other great American players. "Being a U.S. kid, hockey was at its best in '94 (the year the Rangers won the Stanley Cup). (Brian Leetch and Mike Richter) were our idols," notes Gomez, who says that he's spoken to Chris Drury (Trumbull, CT) about the fact that they're both American and must carry the torch. "U.S.A. hockey is on the upswing. It's kind of our turn. Let's face it, it's the biggest market. It's the capital of the world. When those guys ('94 Rangers) won it, it just took hockey to another level for U.S. players." The Rangers open the season against the Florida Panthers Thursday, October 4, at Madison Square Garden.
2008 Western Hockey Network
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NY RANGERS
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