Weekes, Matteau, Richter surprise Rangers fans at Game 4 watch party

New York Rangers alumnus Kevin Weekes knows hockey connects fans to their cities, especially in New York.

Former Rangers players Weekes, Stephane Matteau, Mike Richter and Jeff Beukeboom surprised fans at the Eastern Conference Final Game 4 watch party at Bryant Park in Manhattan on Tuesday.
"We always aspire to be here [in New York City]," Weekes said. "I aspired to play here and I did. On a day to day, this is huge, if you put it into proper prospective of what the magnitude of this is: This city is what people dream of."
Matteau, a 1994 Stanley Cup champion with the Rangers, said the sport's history runs throughout New York's streets and spans generations.
"The city, over the years, adopted me," he said. "I'm one of their own now. I love them. When they ask me to do something, the Rangers, I'm always here. There's not a better place to be amongst people… I see a lot of kids today, a lot of different generations and they are so happy to see us, the 1994 players on top of it."
An approximate 6,000 spots were reserved by fans to watch the game in front of the big screen in the park. Fans donned their Rangers gear, swung their rally towels and sang along to the national anthem, performed by the Rangers' official anthem singer John Brancy.

Brancy said he heard the fans grow louder as the season progressed.
"Something that's been growing throughout these playoffs is that their voices are becoming louder and louder as I sing," Brancy said. "The fans are getting involved in the song itself and then also that literally sets the tone for the beginning of the game."
In the playoffs, the Rangers are 8-1 when playing home at Madison Square Garden, where a packed house is almost always guaranteed.
Brancy, who graduated alongside decorated musicians and singers from Juilliard, called the Rangers fanbase, "the most vocal group of all time."