Mike Ralph

2 NHL Games

January 6, 1976 New York Rangers vs St. Louis Blues. 2-5 loss.
January 10, 1976 New York Rangers vs Kanas City Scouts. 8-4 win.

   Shortly into the 1975/76 NHL season the New York Rangers traded their long time goalie and future HHOFer Ed Giacomin. John Davidson and Dunc Wilson were entrusted with the duty to guard the Rangers' goal. Early January, 1976 John Davidson was forced out with a fractured right leg and Dunc Wilson was simultaneously recovering from having his appendix removed. New York recalled their top goaltending prospect in rookie Doug Soetaert to dress as their net minder. Mike Ralph was recalled from the IHL to dress as backup to Soetaert. Ralph was signed on a five-game trial basis but after just two games with the Rangers, he was returned to the minors since Dunc Wilson was determined fit to return. 

   Ralph's stay in New York was short but certainly interesting. When Ralph was recalled early January, Emile Francis was the Rangers' GM and Ron Stewart the coach. A January 5th, 1976 article published by The Herald Statesman noted that when asked about his new goalie, "Ranger coach Ron Stewart didn't even know of him when his name was mentioned." Just a couple of days later, both coach and GM were fired and replaced by John Ferguson. Ralph spent some time practising with the new Rangers coach and was kept busy by Ferguson in the only NHL game he dressed for the new Coach and GM. It was reported in multiple newspapers that Ferguson kept Ralph busy the whole game by having him keep statistics for him like where people were shooting from on staring goalie Dave Soetaert. 

   Mike Ralph retired from pro hockey in 1977. He later returned to the game in the 2000's as a goalie coach with the OHL's Barrie Colts and Toronto St. Michael's Majors. 

Born Sep 27 1952 -- Mississauga, ONT 

Height 5.09 -- Weight 168

RS Scoring			RS Goalie Stats										PO Scoring
Season	Team	Lge	GP	A	PIM	Min	GA	EN	SO	GAA	W	L	T	Svs	Pct	GP	A	PIM
1969-70	Toronto Marlboros	OHA	18	1	2		65	0	1	3.67
1970-71	Toronto Marlboros	OHA	33	2	5	1864	138	0	2	4.14
1971-72	St. Catharines Black Hawks	OHA	24	0	6		108	0	0	4.50
1972-73	Greensboro Generals	EHL	34	1	16											5	0	0
1973-74	Greensboro Generals	SHL	37	0	34	2023	138	2	0	4.09	15	16	1	1095	0.888	6	0	19
1974-75	Port Huron Flags	IHL	40	1	90	2095	110	1	3	3.15						4	0	2
1975-76	Port Huron Flags	IHL	36	0	34											8	1	22
1976-77	Port Huron Flags	IHL	0	0	6		0	0	0	0.00						-	-	-

Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Jan. 6, 1976. p. 23

The Daily Registrar Jan 6, 1976

Dailey News Jan. 10, 1976