With another season nearing its conclusion, the New York Rangers presented the annual Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award for the 35th time in franchise history. The winner of the award is voted by fans of the New York Rangers each season for the player “who goes above and beyond, both on and off the ice.”
This year the award was granted to defenseman Ryan Lindgren. The 25-year-old has 18 points in 62 games for the Rangers with the season finale to come. The Minnesota native routinely puts his body on the line for the better of the team. This is the first time in Lindgren’s career he has won this prestigious award.
The award was named in honor of the legacy of New York City detective Steve McDonald who was shot and injured in the line of duty on July 12, 1986. McDonald later passed away on January 10th, 2017.
“No one could have predicted that Steven would touch so many people, in New York and around the world”,” said then New York Police Department (N.Y.P.D) Commissioner James O’ Neill after McDonald’s passing. “Like so many cops, Steven joined the N.Y.P.D to make a difference in people’s lives. And he accomplished that every day.”
Previous award winners include Ranger greats including Henrik Lundqvist, Brian Leetch, Mark Messier, and much more. Adam Graves has won the prestigious award five times – the most of any player in franchise history.
