He played for the Saint Louis Blues from 1973 to 1975 and with the New York Rangers from 1975 to 1983. Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features John Davidson is going back to the Rangers organization he has been synonymous with for much of his hockey career. Staff Facts Get access to our unique free agency lists and many more premium features It is possible he will become president for hockey operations responsibilities, with Bill Zito promoted from assistant general manager.John Davidson Returning to Rangers to Be Team PresidentJohn Davidson was the president for hockey operations for the Blue Jackets for seven seasons.Tim Johnson/The Columbus Dispatch, via Associated Press

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John Davidson stepped behind a lectern emblazoned with the Rangers logo on Wednesday and got straight to the point. Hockey Fights Cancer John Davidson advocating early detection Blue Jackets president supporting Hockey Fights Cancer after wife overcame disease by Dan Rosen @drosennhl / … Staff Facts Player profile of

Date of Birth 67 Place of Birth He returns to New York, where he spent parts of eight seasons as a Rangers goaltender and was a television analyst for almost a decade.“The opportunity of rejoining the Rangers organization and returning home to New York, where my family and I have spent so many wonderful years, was one I simply could not pass up,” Davidson said.“There was only one opportunity that I would’ve considered leaving for, and the one before me now is that opportunity as I spent 30 years with the Rangers as a player and broadcaster and have strong ties to that team and the city of New York.”The man known affectionately as J. D. succeeds Glen Sather, a Hall of Fame executive who shifted to an advisory role under the owner James L. Dolan. When he was young, his family moved to Alberta.

John Davidson was born in Ottawa, Ontario on February 27, 1953.

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D. is a man of great character and compassion, and I completely understand his interest in the unique opportunity before him.”The Rangers are in the midst of a youth movement spearheaded by Gorton, who took over for Sather as general manager in 2015.Davidson could be only the first domino to fall in an uncertain off-season for Columbus, which went all-in at the trade deadline and could have as many as four prominent players leave in free agency.The general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, takes over Davidson’s job as alternate governor, but it is uncertain what title he will assume.

Davidson will oversee the hockey operations department, and Jeff Gorton will remain the general manager.Dolan called it “the start of a new and exciting chapter” in franchise history.Davidson was with the Blue Jackets for seven seasons, helping turn an also-ran into a team that made the postseason four times. "John Davidson is one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League. “Dreams do come true,” he … This is an exclusive feature for EP Premium users only. Highlights Age According to the New York Post’s Larry Brooks, it sounds like a formality that John Davidson will leave his role as the Blue Jackets’ president of hockey …