Adam Fox ready to assume greater leadership role for Rangers
Adam Fox, defenseman for the NY Rangers during the New York Rangers training camp in Tarrytown, NY on Wed. Sept. 22, 2022. Errol Anderson Credit: Errol Anderson
There was a day in the locker room at the Rangers’ practice facility a week or so ago when Adam Fox jokingly suggested that he isn’t a young guy anymore.
In a more serious moment, he walked that back a little bit on Friday, as the Rangers prepared to face the Islanders Saturday in their final preseason game.
But in NHL terms, he had a point. Now that the preseason is over, after their 3-1 loss to the Islanders at UBS Arena, the Jericho native will begin his fourth year in the league when the Rangers open the regular season at home Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He’s already won a Norris Trophy, as the best defenseman in the league, and he’ll turn 25 in midseason. That sounds more like a prime-of-his-career guy, as opposed to a young guy.
“I still consider myself, (and defense partner Ryan Lindgren) to be young guys,’’ Fox said. “I mean, we're not the kids, so to speak. But… fourth year, there's still stuff that you want to learn, want to improve.
“So, I’m obviously not a seasoned veteran, but I've played enough games to understand what to do out there to be successful.’’
Fox started strong last season, putting up 47 points in his first 40 games to lead all defensemen in scoring at that point. But an upper-body injury just before the All-Star break knocked him off track somewhat and he faded a little in the second half. He still finished with career-highs in goals (11), assists (63), and points (74) in 78 games.
Over the season, he became more prominent as a team spokesman, often being brought out to speak after games – sometimes after painful losses – an indicator he might be being groomed by the organization to be one of the team leaders.
“I don't know if ‘grooming’ is the word, necessarily, I'd use, but I think as you go along, you want to develop into that leader,’’ he said. “Going into my fourth year, there's things I want to do to help the team, more than on the ice. And I think it just comes from growth, maturity. I think, you know, you come in at 21, you're, kind of wide-eyed, and just looking to play hockey and do your best, and then you know, as you as you come along, I think you want to do other things.’’
Fox and Lindgren, his defense partner for nearly his entire NHL career, both got to wear an alternate captain’s “A’’ in the Rangers’ second preseason game, in Boston on Sept. 27. Fox said wearing the “A’’ was a great honor. He didn’t get to do it in college, at Harvard, because only captains wear the “C’’ in college; and there are no alternate captains “A’s’’. Fox had been named a captain for his senior year, but he signed with the Rangers and didn’t return for his senior year.
It's possible he could be added to the Rangers’ stable of alternate captains this season. Coach Gerard Gallant said the team will announce its alternates on Monday. With Ryan Strome now playing in Anaheim and Jacob Trouba promoted to captain, the Rangers have four returning alternates: Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin and Barclay Goodrow. Fox, and/or Lindgren could be added as alternates.
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
