In a season when several Rangers have regressed, Will Cuylle has been the ultimate exception.
That fact was not lost on the Rangers fans who voted for the 23-year-old forward to win the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award on Wednesday night, ahead of the Rangers’ 5-4 overtime win against the Wild at Madison Square Garden.
“It was pretty cool,” Cuylle said after the game, in which he posted two blocks and two hits. “Obviously, it’s a huge honor. Such a long-standing tradition, and to see the other names that have won the award, it’s pretty cool to be listed with some of those names.”
Cuylle joins Vincent Trocheck (2023-24), Ryan Lindgren (2022-23), Chris Kreider (2021-22) and Adam Fox (2020-21) on a list of the past five winners of the highly respected honor, which is presented annually to the Ranger who “goes above and beyond the call of duty.”
The award, which was first given during the 1987-88 season, was named after lifelong Rangers fan and New York City Police Det. Steven McDonald, who was shot and injured in the line of duty July 12, 1986. He died Jan. 10, 2017, at 59.
Cuylle’s 14 five-on-five goals are tied with Alexis Lafrenière for the second most on the team behind Artemi Panarin’s 22, per Natural Stat Trick.
His 117 shots also are tied with Lafrenière for the third most, trailing Panarin (144) and Trocheck (125).
While the Rangers had the fourth-most hits in the NHL at 1,904 prior to Thursday night’s slate of games, as well as the fifth-best hits per 60 at 25.22, Cuylle leads the team with 281 this season.
“It’s voted on by the fans, so I’m happy that they appreciate my hard work,” Cuylle said. “It’s something I can be proud of and share with my family and people close to me.”
The Rangers return to practice Friday before they face the Devils in Newark on Saturday afternoon.
After scoring in Wednesday’s win, Kreider posted the 10th 20-goal season of his career.
He became the second Ranger in team history to have 10 or more seasons with 20 or more goals, joining Rod Gilbert (12).
