Frank Bathgate caught the eye of the New York Rangers long before they were interested in his younger brother Andy, a future Hall of Famer. When Frank was assigned to the Guelph Biltmores for his third season by the Rangers in 1949-50, he insisted that Andy be given a tryout. He threatened to walk out on the team and made such a stink that finally Andy was given a trial.
The younger sibling impressed the Biltmore brass and made the team, ending up on a line with his brother. The Bathgate duo powered Guelph to the OHA title that year, combining for 56 points in 26 playoff games. Frank earned a short tryout in 1952 with the Rangers, playing two games for the Blueshirts in the NHL. Later that year Andy was up with New York for the first of his 12 years with the big club as a high-scoring centre.
In 1958 Andy returned the favour, arranging a tryout for Frank, who had been playing for Windsor in the OHA Sr. loop since 1954. Muzz Patrick, the Rangers general manager, despite Andy's recommendation, did not sign Frank and he ended his playing career where it began, in the OHA, in 1962 some 15 years after it began.
