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Ryan Callahan The captain of the New York Rangers leads by example

     Ryan Callahan relishes his role as captain of the New York Rangers, whose fans are grateful the gritty right wing wears the large “C” on his sweater front. Exemplifying the hard-nosed approach espoused by Rangers coach John Tortorella, Callahan blocks shots, kills penalties and scores timely goals. And he’ll fight when necessary.
     Callahan says the most rewarding aspect of his leadership position is that he can inspire teammates and the team’s faithful followers by leaving everything on the ice every night. “I love that the fans relate to me, understanding how hard I work and how focused I am,’’ says the 27-year-old native of Rochester, New York, who became captain in September 2011 after Chris Drury retired. “My mission is to lead by example. I aim to do most of my talking on the ice. It’s not so much what I say but what I do.”
     Callahan has become a symbol for the Rangers and their black-and- blue style of play. His feisty formula helped the Rangers come within two games of the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, when they ultimately bowed to the New Jersey Devils in a hard-fought Eastern Conference Finals. It was the first time since 2008 the Rangers advanced past the opening round of the playoffs.
     The lockout of 2012-13 aside, Callahan is quick to speak on the importance of a lengthy spring run aiding the maturation of a young team. The Rangers won their first two playoff rounds over Ottawa and Washington in seven games. “It was meaningful for us all to excel as much as we did. We grew as a team and proved we could win close games under pressure,’’ says Callahan, who along with Brad Richards led New York with six goals in 20 playoff games. “We definitely had high hopes coming into this season, so it’s frustrating we haven’t been able to play.”
     Among Callahan’s 29 goals last season—second only to Marian Gaborik’s 41—were three game-winners against the Buffalo Sabres, who play 75 miles from Rochester. The Callahan family was in attendance for two clinchers scored in Buffalo, where Callahan also made his NHL debut in December 2006. The home game-winner came in overtime on Feb. 25 and was the 100th of Callahan’s career.
     Their collective family presence is meaningful for Callahan, who especially values post-game analysis from his 96-year-old maternal grandmother Adriana. “She’s amazing. We talk all the time and she always has advice for me,’’ he says with a smile. “She really knows her hockey. It’s very, very special for me and for us to have the relationship we do.”
     If there were a silver lining to the lockout delaying this season, it was Callahan’s opportunity to spend bonus time with wife and new daughter, who was born last May. He also had the rare chance to spend Thanksgiving at home in Rochester. “It was great to have quality time with everyone. But definitely, this has been unusual,’’ he says. “It doesn’t feel right once November gets here not to be playing hockey.”
     Drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round in 2004, Callahan scored his first two NHL goals on St. Patrick’s Day 2007 in a 7-0 rout of the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden. He had the chance to skate with perennial All-Stars Brendan Shanahan and Jaromir Jagr the remainder of that campaign, and then play 10 playoff games as a rookie. “That was tremendous, to come in and have a chance to learn from Brendan who was an idol of mine,’’ says Callahan, who also mentions Pat Lafontaine as a childhood favorite. “I also have to credit my first coach with the Rangers, Tom Renney, who really taught me what it means to be a professional. I am grateful for that.”
     Callahan’s level of dedication was tested when he struggled in his second season with the Rangers. The coaching staff decided it would be best if he spent several weeks with Hartford of the AHL. Energized after scoring seven goals in 11 games with the Wolfpack, Callahan returned with renewed vigor and has never looked back in putting together four straight solid seasons. “I look at that Hartford experience as a career turning point,’’ he says. “I went down dedicated to improving and proving my worth. I learned for myself how hard you have to work to succeed at the NHL level. The key is to stay mentally and physically sharp. I bring that mindset to the rink every day.”