The New York Rangers have officially made John Davidson their new team president.

The Columbus Blue Jackets announced on Friday that Davidson had submitted his resignation as president of hockey operations after being granted permission to speak to the Rangers about serving as their team president.

Hours later, Rangers owner James Dolan made the announcement official.

"Today is the start of a new and exciting chapter in New York Rangers history," Dolan said in a statement. "John Davidson is one of the premier executives in the National Hockey League. As we continue to build a team that can consistently compete for the Stanley Cup, John's knowledge of the game and his experience and passion for the Rangers logo make him the ideal choice to oversee our Hockey Operations department. I am thrilled to welcome 'JD' and his family home."

Davidson, 66, was narrowed down as the favorite candidate last month and will replace Glen Sather in his return to the organization where he played as a goalie for eight seasons and was a broadcaster for 20 years.

"The opportunity of rejoining the Rangers organization and returning home to New York, where my family and I have spent so many wonderful years, was one I simply could not pass up," Davidson said in a statement. " I want to thank James Dolan for offering me this chance to come home. I would also like to thank John P. McConnell for the opportunity to join the Blue Jackets organization in 2012, his guidance, support, and friendship over the last seven years, and for allowing my family and me to embark on this new journey with the Rangers. Additionally, I would like to thank the St. Louis Blues organization for giving me an opportunity to join their front office in 2006 and spend six fantastic years there."

Davidson had spent the previous six seasons as the President of Hockey Operations for the Blue Jackets where they reached the playoffs four times, which included a stunning sweep of the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round this year. They also set a single-season franchise record with 50 wins in 2016-17 under Davidson.

By bringing in Davidson, the Rangers could be in pursuit of free-agent Artemi Panarin, whom Davidson acquired in Columbus through a trade

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