In the spring of 1934 the New York Rangers announced a bold personnel change: Lester Patrick, the team’s legendary manager, had signed his son Lynn to a three‑year contract, displacing the fan‑favorite Art Somers. The move was immediately met with a wave of criticism from supporters and local journalists who saw the decision as a blatant act of nepotism.
The Backlash Begins
Fans coined the nickname "The Boss’s Son" for the newcomer, mocking his smooth skating and questioning whether merit alone could justify a spot on the ice. Newspaper columns described the signing as "scurrilous and reprehensible," and the younger Patrick found himself under a microscope that few rookie players ever endure.
Despite the hostility, Lynn Patrick entered the lineup with a modest $3,500 contract and a $300 signing bonus. In his debut season he posted nine goals and 13 assists, finishing fourth in team scoring and adding four points during the playoffs. His performance gradually quieted the critics and began to reshape the narrative around his place on the roster.
Stan Saplin, who would later become the franchise’s publicist, praised the young forward, predicting that he would lead the team in scoring on two separate occasions. Saplin’s forecast proved prescient, as Lynn’s offensive contributions helped cement the Rangers’ reputation as a powerhouse during the era.
The episode also highlighted the broader context of the organization, which at the time was owned by a group that included figures such as Jim Dolan, Bill Cook, and Bun Cook. Their willingness to support Lester Patrick’s familial experiment underscored a unique blend of business pragmatism and personal loyalty that characterized the Rangers’ early decades.