Ron Duguay: Getting dumped by MSG has been ‘difficult’

Ron Duguay wants the record set straight.

The former Rangers center says he was left in the dark over MSG’s reasoning not to bring him back as a TV analyst, and wants fans to know it was the network’s decision to end the relationship after 12 years. 

“It’s been difficult for me as I walk through MSG or on the streets of NYC because while I was there for opening night for the whole week participating in events surrounding the start of the season, I’m having to answer to so many people as to why I am not coming back,” Duguay told The Post.

“The reason for that is that MSG was not clear to the fans and media on why I was not coming back. They made it appear like it was a mutual agreement and that I wanted to do other things. That was not the case at all.”

During the Rangers preseason, Duguay began tweeting to fans indicating that he would not return after they had noticed him absent from the coverage. MSG Network replaced Duguay, who worked 40-45 games a season, with a combination of Anson Carter and Dave Maloney to work alongside full-time analyst Steve Valiquette and hosts Al Trautwig and Bill Pidto.

“We would like to thank Ron for his contributions to MSG Networks over the years, and wish him all the best moving forward,” an MSG spokesman said in a Sept. 20 statement. The network pointed The Post toward the same statement when contacted on Tuesday.

Duguay said his contract was up with the network and the relationship was severed in a “two-minute conversation” between a network executive and his agent. A network source said that Duguay was informed his contract would not be renewed.

“We asked repeatedly for an explanation as to why this decision was made and we have gotten nothing…,” Duguay said. “Everyone has been led to believe it was a mutual thing or that I did not want to do it anymore. That’s not the case, and that is what is sad to me. I loved being an analyst and representing the Rangers on air.”

Duguay still has close ties to the franchise and still represents the team at alumni functions. He’s hoping the silver lining to being taken off the network is that he’ll have more opportunities for team functions.

“The fans of Ranger Nation are the best in the NHL and are what makes NYC so special to me,” Duguay said. “They welcomed me with open arms when I came here as a 20-year-old kid and have continued to do so ever since. I am forever grateful to them and love interacting with them.

see also

How MSG is replacing Ron Duguay for Rangers coverage

MSG Network is turning to a pair of familiar faces…

“I do my best to show them how much they mean to me by doing whatever I can in the community to give back because I want them to know how much I appreciate what they have given me. Because of them my heart is full. The Ranger organization and the fans have been my family for over 40 years. My loyalty will always be with them.”

Duguay, 61, still splits his time between Florida and New York. He is working with former Rangers Colton Orr and Stefan Matteau on a Legacy Program through Woodlawn Cemetery for fifth- through eighth-grade students in The Bronx. Duguay plans on writing a book about his time with the Rangers in the late 70s and early 80s, though it will be more of a novel than biographical. He said he would not consider working with another team, though his time as a broadcaster may not be through.

“I am a Ranger, I can’t imagine being part of another organization,” Duguay said. “I am entertaining options and projects that will give me the opportunity to talk hockey, lifestyle and current events in New York City.”