Born For the Blueshirts: Defenseman Adam Fox
Most committed New York Rangers fans, at some point, question the value of certain players and the dedication they bring to their team. However, currently, that is not a question about defenceman Adam Fox. Despite being drafted right out of college, Fox brings consistent dedication to the rink, proving he belongs as a Blueshirt.
In his hometown, Jericho, Fox began his hockey career at the age of four, playing for the Long Island Gulls of the Atlantic Youth Hockey League. He grew up in Long Island, where many citizens are homeland Islanders fans. However, influenced by his father’s season tickets for the New York Rangers, Fox grew up around his future team and the Gardens environment. He played from his early years all through high school and as well as for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
After graduating in 2016, Fox attended Harvard University, where he played for the Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey team and studied psychology. At the time, Fox was simply looking more toward academics rather than an NHL career, but that changed in 2016 when he was selected 66th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 2016 NHL Entry Level Draft. During his later years at Harvard, Fox led the NCAA in assists in 2018-2019, and his 48 points overall skating for the Harvard team were second among all NCAA defensemen. This was only one point behind the Hobey Baker award winner, Cale Makar.
Also, while in college, Fox played for the U.S. at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, as well as being named as an alternate captain in 2017 and 2018, winning a bronze medal while also leading the team's defenseman in assisting points. Around the same time, the Flames traded his NHL rights to the Carolina Hurricanes along with Dougie Hamilton and Micheal Ferland in exchange for Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin. The offer was life-changing, but the young athlete had his mind set on playing for the team that raised him. Fox’s rights were traded to the New York Rangers after refusing both Calgary and Carolina’s offers. He signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers with a maximum entry-level salary. He made his NHL debut for the Rangers in October 2019, scoring his first goal only a few games later against Tampa Bay Lightning.
In 2021, he re-signed with the Rangers, making the $66.5 million, seven-year deal the largest contract in NHL history for a defenseman after just leaving his entry-level deal. For the 2020-2021 NHL season, he was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy, signifying him as the best defenseman in the NHL. Doing so he is the first Rangers player to do so since Brian Leetch in 1996-1997. Although he is one of the younger players on the team, his consistency of play and dedication allow fans to view him as a hometown favorite. He is seen as one of the backbones of the team and, statistically, one of the team's highest scorers for the 2022-2023 season so far. Since Fox has signed with the Rangers, he proves time and time again that he will give his all to his team, giving Blueshirt fans a defenseman they can rely on.