Rangers to retire Jersey #35 - Online Sports Betting

Blue56 · 02-03-2004, 09:54 PM

#35

Blue56 · 02-03-2004, 09:55 PM

He was a good goalie for the rangers.

He won 301 i think.

GaryMrMets · 02-05-2004, 01:24 AM

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Rangers' retired numbers

Feb 04, 2004

By MSGNetwork.com

For a team with such a rich history, tradition and collection of Hall-of-Fame-caliber players, the Rangers have only raised three numbers to The Garden rafters. The latest being Mike Richter's No. 35:

Ed Giacomin Goaltender 1

Rod Gilbert Forward 7

Mike Richter Goaltender 35
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Richter's No. 35 raised to Madison Square Garden rafters

Feb 04, 2004

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mike Richter's place in New York Rangers history was sealed a decade ago, when he helped break a 54-year curse.

His spot in the Madison Square Garden rafters was filled Wednesday night when his No. 35 was retired by the only NHL team he ever played for.

"Every time someone puts on a Rangers sweater they'll look up there and see what a champion should look like," said captain Mark Messier, who played with Richter for 11 seasons.

A series of concussions forced Richter into an early retirement last summer after 15 seasons with the Rangers, the club he backstopped to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 after a 54-year drought.

"I can tell you that any sense of loss has been replaced by the feeling of gratitude and joy," Richter said. "I'm leaving with the realization that the time spent here has been nothing short of an amazing gift."

He stood with his wife and two children in the goal crease next to a table on which his famous Statue of Liberty mask rested. The banner rose at the end of the 45-minute ceremony from the top of the net to its place next to the pennant commemorating the 1994 championship.

"It's absolutely overwhelming," Richter said.

Eddie Giacomin's No. 1, and the No. 7 Rod Gilbert wore are the only other numbers to have been retired by the Rangers. They couldn't produce what Richter did -- a championship.

"He was one of the greatest Rangers," Gilbert said. "He was spectacular."

Richter reached 300 victories, but just days after -- during his 301st win -- he sustained his career-ending concussion. That hit in November 2002 came just seven months after a concussion that cut short his previous season.

"Right about now, I'm wondering whose idea it was to get a guy who retired from head injuries to memorize a speech in front of 18,000," Richter said to the adoring crowd that pleaded for "one more game."

There was no amount of rehab to heal him like the kind that got him back on the ice after major injuries to each knee in 2000 and 2001.

"I never played with a guy more committed to making himself better," said Adam Graves, another fan favorite from the 1994 team.

On this night, 15 months after his final game, he again led his former teammates on the ice. Only he went to center ice while the rest of the Rangers gathered behind the goal he defended for so many years.

His No. 35 adorned the ice, in each corner of the boards and on the clock which read 35:00.

"He deserves it," said Giacomin, who dominated the Rangers' goaltending record book before Richter arrived. "It's unheard of that he played in New York 15 years."

Richter spent two years at Wisconsin before joining the Rangers. Now, he'll resume his educational career at Yale.

"I know I don't have the vocabulary he does," Messier said.

Richter was a three-time All-Star and the MVP of the 1996 World Cup in which he led the United States to a gold medal. He takes into retirement a silver net that bears the names of all his teammates, and a 19-foot boat named "True Blue 35."

"This experience has taught me many lessons," Richter said, "and has been shared by so many fine people that made it all possible."

Richter enjoys the view with his family as his No. 35 is hoisted to The Garden rafters. (AP)
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John Davidson
Mike Richter: A true great on and off the ice

Feb 04, 2004

A few words on Mike Richter, whose career I have had the pleasure of seeing blossom night after night for 16 years.

I just always admired Richter's work habits. Probably the No. 1 thing about Mike, was the way he played the game --always prepared. I think for the first number of years, his commitment to the game allowed him to develop his skill.

The respect his teammates afforded him was also very special. And even this past Monday, I heard Vancouver's Trevor Linden, when interviewed by Al Trautwig, say that although he didn't play with Mike on a team, he heard about all his commitment to his work habits. Richter's practices were hard every day and his play was hard on the ice. His teammates respected that. And then later in his career, when the injuries hit, he worked even harder to get back!

Anybody who can have two ACL transplants on their knees (one on each knee) and come back to play that position, that’s almost unheard of. In the professional respect, it's really special.

For me to be here for his entire career as a broadcaster and getting to know him, I really have a lot of respect for the guy. He’s just a good guy. He went from being single, to marriage, to kids and kept everything in perspective and is always a fun guy to be around ... and still is.

As far as his on-ice heroics go, his ability to move laterally was really impressive to watch on the ice. He didn't stay back in the net and was pretty aggressive. Sometimes we'd have discussions and he'd ask me what I thought about his play and I'd tell him, 'You're being too aggressive.' He had this ability to go side-to-side in a flash, or get out there and get back to the net on breakaways. Many times, especially against a guy like Pavel Bure, it was remarkable to see his leg strength give him so much quickness to cover large areas in just a flash! Sometimes, however, he'd get out too far and recognize it and cut back a little bit. He was fun to watch play. When you look at his career, start to finish, his ability to win big games and ability to do well in international hockey in big situations, is pretty darn good.

When he first came up to the Rangers, I just knew he'd be special. I had heard of him before he had even got here, so you knew about his play prior to becoming a Ranger.

Mike will certainly be remembered for his play during the 1994 playoffs, but I just know that when you look at his career from start to finish - not only in the NHL, but international hockey - it's one of those great careers. I know people talk about Patrick Roy more so - and he did win more championships - but no one can deny that Richter was really good. When you look at the goaltenders that have played here, like Eddie Giacomin and other Rangers greats, Mike is the best one I’ve seen play in Ranger blue.

As for Richter's career on the ice, that Game 6 in New Jersey in 1994 is a fond memory. If the Rangers lose that one, they're done in the Conference Finals. He was the person who held them together before they got back into the game. Otherwise, they were done and there would have been no 1994 Stanley Cup.

One of the most memorable on-ice plays, would have to be the penalty shot Bure had on him in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals. Also, you can't forget his play during the All-Star Game at The Garden, where he won the MVP. And there's also the third period of one of the greatest periods of goaltending I've ever seen -- and that was the 1996 World Cup Championship in Montreal, when Team USA beat Canada and he stopped somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 shots in that one period. That was just remarkable!

Richter certainly had a great career and is deserving of the special honor the organization is giving to him.

In 1994, Richter led the Rangers to their first Cup title in 54 years. (AP)

And who can forget Richter's international play, especially in leading Team USA in 1996? (AP)

GaryMrMets · 02-05-2004, 01:30 AM

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Al Trautwig

Graves remembers playing alongside No. 35

Feb 05, 2004

Wednesday night at The Garden was not just an ordinary night. Mike Richter's No. 35 was raised to the rafters - just the third Blueshirt number to be retired in franchise history.

On hand to witness the honor were numerous alumni, including fan favorite and ex-Richter teammate Adam Graves - who received a thunderous ovation only second to Richter's.

Following the festivities, No. 9 talked with MSG Network's Al Trautwig about the emotional tribute:

Trautwig: What were your thoughts when you were walking out and you heard that noise?

Graves: It's hard to describe any time you have a feeling like I have for the city, Madison Square Garden fans, and the people in New York. To come back, I haven't been here a lot in the last couple of years, it's special. The energy is what you live for as an athlete and I was fortunate, and I pinch myself all the time that I had 10 years of that here in New York. It was a special time.

Trautwig: What's the coolest thing you ever saw Richter do? I know it's hard to pick one thing, but try.

Graves: On the ice, he was just remarkable in everything he did. I think the thing he impressed me the most, was he would stand in the net and would get 15-to-20 pucks, line them up just inside the top of the circle and let you shoot as hard as you can anywhere on the net.

Do you think you can beat him? Not a chance. It didn't matter whether it was me with a so-so shot or "Leetchie" or any of the guys who could really powder the puck. He was an unbelievable competitor and every ounce of his body that he could use to stop the puck or to move across the net he would use. I think that's why, in the end, his body didn't keep up to his mind and acrobatics. You look at all his groin injuries and, of course his head injury, and shoulder. He was a tremendous athlete and a guy that was so dedicated, that we all learned from him.

Trautwig: They gave out a great magazine chronicling all his years. There's a photo on one of the pages. It's that famous black-and-white shot of all you guys standing on the float in the midst of the the chaos of the parade in 1994. There was a quote up in the corner where he said, "Boy I wish we had a flat tire so we could stay here forever." Did he really say that to you?

Graves: To be honest with you, I'm sure he said it. He's a very intelligent man and was speaking and trying to capsule a moment. I remember on the ice, all the great moments from that year, but the things I remember the most was that parade and the support that we got here. It was just a direct correlation to the energy that was here for Richter tonight (Wednesday).

Trautwig: You're not playing right now. Where are you in terms of your career? Are you hoping to get a phone call? The fans obviously voiced their opinion here.

Graves: No, the body is just about shutdown. I think all those years of pounding have taken it's toll on my body. I look at it, and I talk to people, and I say, "You know what? There's not a happier guy in the world than myself with my family, my three children, and enjoying myself." And I look forward in the future getting into the game of hockey, the game I love, but it won't be as a player.

Two of the greatest Blueshirt goalies come together on Richter's special night. (AP)
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Mike Richter's career highlights

Feb 04, 2004

CAREER STATS

By MSGNetwork.com

A college All-American and U.S. Olympian, Mike Richter went on to do it all on the NHL level, and Broadway was his address for the whole ride.

Here is how the Pennsylvania native spent his 14 seasons in the Rangers' goal crease:

Drafted by the Rangers in the second round of the 1985 NHL Entry Draft (28th overall).

Posted 2-2-0 record along with a 3.91 goals against average in 1988 Winter Games in Calgary; went on to win Silver Medal with 2002 U.S. Olympic team in Salt Lake City, as well as 1996 World Cup of Hockey for Team USA, for which he was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament

Made NHL debut vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 4 of the first round of the 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs

Named as a finalist for the NHL’s Vezina Trophy in just second full season

Recorded his first NHL shutout on November 23rd, 1991 at St. Louis

Made his first of three NHL All-Star Game selections in 1992; won MVP of the game in 1994, and also made it in 2000

Established career and franchise bests in 1994 with 42 wins in 68 games and became the first Rangers goaltender to lead the NHL in wins since Ed Giacomin led the league with 37 in 1968-69

Posted a franchise record 20-game unbeaten streak, going 17-0-3 from October 24 to December 19, 1993

Stopped current teammate Pavel Bure, then of the Vancouver Canucks, on a penalty shot in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals, which the Rangers won in seven games

Set the Rangers record for highest save percentage in a single season at .917 in 1996-97

Owns Ranger records for most playoff wins (41), shutouts (9), and games played (66)

Also owns franchise regular season records for games in one season (72 in 1997-98), saves in a game (59 on 1/31/91 vs. Vancouver)

Saved 12 of 13 career penalty shots against (lone goal was Doug Weight of Edmonton on October 8, 1997)

Became only the 30th goaltender in NHL history to win more than 250 games in 1999-00 season

All-time Rangers leader in wins with 301, minutes (38,185) and appearances (666).

Posted 5-6-1 mark, along with a 2.94 goals against average in final season (2002-03)

No Ranger goalie has won more games or played more minutes than Mike Richter. (AP)
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Rangers All-Time Leaders

Feb 04, 2004

By MSGNetwork.com

*BOLD indicates players still active with the Rangers:

Games
1. Harry Howell 1,160
2. Brian Leetch 1,118
3. Rod Gilbert 1,065
4. Ron Greschner 982
5. Walt Tkaczuk 945
6. Jean Ratelle 862
7. Vic Hadfield 519
8. Jim Neilson 810
9. Adam Graves 772
10. Andy Bathgate 720

Goals
1. Rod Gilbert 406
2. Jean Ratelle 336
3. Adam Graves 280
4. Andy Bathgate 272
5. Vic Hadfield 262
6. Camille Henry 256
t-7. Steve Vickers 246
t-7. Mark Messier 246
9. Brian Leetch 237
10. Bill Cook 228

Assists
1. Brian Leetch 734
2. Rod Gilbert 615
3. Jean Ratelle 481
4. Andy Bathgate 457
5. Walt Tkaczuk 451
6. Ron Greschner 431
7. Mark Messier 428
8. James Patrick 363
9. Steve Vickers 340
10. Vic Hadfield 310

Points
1. Rod Gilbert 1,021
2. Brian Leetch 971
3. Jean Ratelle 817
4. Andy Bathgate 729
5. Walt Tkaczuk 678
6. Mark Messier 674
7. Ron Greschner 610
8. Steve Vickers 586
9. Vic Hadfield 572
10. Adam Graves 507

Penalty Minutes
1. Ron Greschner 1,226
2. Jeff Beukeboom 1,157
3. Harry Howell 1,147
4. Dave Maloney 1,113
5. Vic Hadfield 1,036
6. Nick Fotiu 970
7. Lou Fontinato 939
8. Adam Graves 810
9. Ching Johnson 798
10. Barry Beck 775

Wins
1. Mike Richter 301
2. Ed Giacomin 266
3. Lorne Worsley 204
4. J. Vanbiesbrouck 200
5. Dave Kerr 157
6. Chuck Rayner 123
7. Gilles Villemure 96
8. John Davidson 93
9. John Ross Roach 80
10. Glen Hanlon 56

Shutouts
1. Ed Giacomin 49
2. Dave Kerr 40
3. John Ross Roach 30
t-4. Lorne Worsley 24
t-4. Chuck Rayner 24
t-4. Mike Richter 24
7. Lorne Chabot 21
8. J. Vanbiesbrouck 16
9. Gilles Villemure 13
10. Andy Aitkenhead 11
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Stan Fischler's Sweet 16 Goalies - Mike Richter

Feb 04, 2004

New York and New Jersey have seen some of the NHL's true greats skate on their ponds in Manhattan, Nassau and East Rutherford. As part of a new ongoing series, Stan Fischler reveals his MetroArea Sweet 16 -- for each position -- that put the Rangers, Islanders and Devils on the hockey map.

Here are the best 16 goalies (In order from No. 16 through No. 1):

No. 3 - Mike Richter (G)

Lorne Chabot, Charlie Rayner, Lorne Worsley and Ed Giacomin. The Rangers have boosted many starry goaltenders. After John Vanbiesbrouck, it was Mike Richter.

The all-time leader in wins by a Rangers goaltender, Richter was the glue of the team once he succeeded Vanbiesbrouck.

Dedicated to athleticism and an astute observer of the game, Richter was one of the most reliable Blueshirts to suit up at Madison Square Garden.

Without a doubt, it was Richter's performance that made the difference in the Rangers' Stanley Cup season of 1993-94.

One of the best American-born goaltenders to strap on the pads added to his reputation with starry Olympic efforts, Richter remains the Rangers' goalie-king.

WHY HE'S NUMBER THREE: The 1994 Stanley Cup was the greatest of the four Rangers championships. It never would have been possible except for Richter's game six and game seven Herculean efforts against New Jersey.

Agile, indomitable and an ideal team player, Richter could do it all between the pipes.

Were it not for an unfortunate spate of injuries, Richter might even have reached the No. 2 spot.

1989-2003

GaryMrMets · 02-05-2004, 01:34 AM

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All-time win among NHL goaltenders

Feb 04, 2004

By MSGNetwork.com

Five of the MetroArea's greatest goaltenders have had enough staying power to rank among the NHL's all-time great goaltenders. And one of them - Martin Brodeur - has the chance to be the all-time best.

Here are the all-time winners among netminders:

No. Player Wins

1. Patrick Roy 551

2. Terry Sawchuk 447

3. Jacques Plante 435

4. Ed Belfour 424

5. Tony Esposito 423

6. Glenn Hall 407

7. Grant Fuhr 403

8. Curtis Joseph 392

9. Martin Brodeur 390

10. Mike Vernon 385