Though Ratelle’s Rangers story features plenty of “shoulda, coulda, woulda,” it began with pure luck. As a kid, he attended a boarding school in Quebec and befriended a boy named Rod Gilbert. When a Rangers scout signed Gilbert, he demanded they sign his childhood friend as well.
Ratelle, Gilbert, and Vic Hadfield eventually starred on the famous “GAG” line, which is short for “goal a game.” They were far from an overnight success, though.
Early struggles
At the start of his NHL career, both Jean Ratelle and the Rangers struggled. Ratelle made his NHL debut with a three-game stint in the 1960-61 season.