FLASHBACK: Kelly Kisio (2008)

Originally aired November 8th, 2008 on WGBB's New York Hockey Talk.

The somewhat unheralded former Rangers captain Kelly Kisio was one of the hardest working Rangers ever. This guy never quit on the ice. The last Ranger to wear the "C" before Mark Messier arrived, Kisio was always a professional, and wore the Rangers sweater with pride- the same way he played the game. Coaching up in Calgary at the time of this interview, it was great to get a chance to catch up with this under-rated Ranger.

Host Rob Kowal welcomes former New York Rangers captain Kelly Kisio and begins by talking about wearing number 11 as captain for the Rangers, his feelings about the team and the passionate Rangers fans. Kelly discusses breaking into the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings after playing in Switzerland, playing with former Islanders head coach Ted Nolan, and how he found out about the trade that brought him to to the Rangers in 1988. Kelly also talked about some of his old Detroit Red WIngs teammates that were with the Rangers when he joined the team- including John Ogrodnik who Kelly teamed up with on a line along with Brian Mullin. Kisio talked about their special chemistry on and off the ice.

Kelly also discussed playing for Roger Neilson and where he ranks among the head coaches he played for during his career. Kelly also talked about what it meant to him wearing the C for the Rangers, and how he felt when he was traded to San Jose after spending so much time with the Rangers organization. Kelly then spoke about ending his career in Calgary, which led to a role head coach and GM for Calgary Hitman Western Hockey League, and some of his hopes for the future at the time.