from Stan Fischler of MSGNetworks,

Put it this way, if Lou Fontinato were playing defense for the New York Rangers today, he would have been one of the most popular -- if not the most popular -- athlete in New York.

I speak firsthand since Louie and I grew up together in the Rangers organization. During the 1954-55 season, I worked in the Blueshirts publicity department and Fonty was a hell-for-leather rookie.

This wonderful man, who for many NHL years seemed indestructible, died at the age of 84 on Sunday near his birthplace in Guelph, Ontario.

What made Fontinato so special was a blend of uncontrolled exuberance, passion, lust for body checking and -- not to be underplayed -- delight in good old fist-fighting.

When Louie fought, The Garden -- then on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets -- would go mad.

"As long as I knew Louie," said Hall of Famer Andy Bathgate, "he loved a good fight. But he also was a first-rate defenseman, even in Juniors."

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