Brian Leetch
Encyclopedia
Brian Joseph Leetch is a retired American professional ice hockey
defenseman
who played 18 National Hockey League
(NHL) season
s with the New York Rangers
, Toronto Maple Leafs
, and Boston Bruins
. He is generally considered one of the top defensemen in NHL history, being particularly noted for his skating, offense, and playmaking abilities. He and fellow Rangers teammate Mike Richter
were inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. Leetch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
in Toronto the following year.
Leetch accumulated many individual honors during his 18-year career. He was a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman (1992, 1997) and was the first American-born winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy
as Playoff MVP for his brilliant play during the Rangers' run to the 1994 Stanley Cup
Championship. (He held the honor of being the only American-born Conn Smythe winner until 2011, when Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins won it.) He is one of only five NHL defensemen to score 100 points in a season with his 102-point campaign in 1991–92. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1989 and his 23 goals that season remain an NHL record for rookie defensemen. Leetch's number 2 was retired by the Rangers on January 24, 2008. During the ceremony, longtime teammate Mark Messier
referred to Leetch as the single "Greatest Ranger of All Time."
. This is where Leetch began to hone his hockey skills at a local ice rink managed by his father. In high school he starred in baseball and hockey, first at Cheshire High School
, and then at Avon Old Farms
. As a sophomore, his 90-mph fastball
helped the Cheshire Rams baseball team to a state championship and, as a senior at Avon Old Farms, he set the school record for strikeouts in a game with 19. Hockey, however, was the sport in which he excelled. As a sophomore at Cheshire, he scored 53 goals and 50 assists, earning All-state honors. In two seasons with Avon Old Farms
he scored 70 goals and 90 assists in 54 games. These numbers were especially remarkable for a defenseman. NHL scouts were starting to take notice and the New York Rangers chose Leetch as their first-round pick (9th overall) in 1986, making him the first player drafted that year who did not play major junior hockey. Following in the footsteps of his father Jack, Brian enrolled at Boston College
in the fall of 1986, and, like his father, would become an All-America defenseman for the Eagles.
he played for the 1988 US Olympic team, then made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers on February 29, 1988 vs.St. Louis (wearing number 2) scoring his first NHL point in that game with an assist on Kelly Kisio's goal. He totaled 14 points in 17 games that year, and in his first full year in 1988, he notched 71 points, including a rookie defenseman-record 23 goals, winning the Calder Trophy as well as being selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team
.
As the Rangers slowly developed into a championship-caliber team, Leetch won increasing respect from fans for his quiet demeanor and entertaining, offensive-minded play. In 1992 he became the fifth defenseman in history, and the only American defenseman, to record 100 points in a season and was awarded the Norris Trophy. Leetch was the last NHL defenseman to record 100 points in a season. In 1994 he again matched his career high of 23 goals in the regular season as the Rangers won the Presidents Trophy. That year the Rangers' 54-year championship drought ended with a 7-game Stanley Cup
victory over the Vancouver Canucks
; Leetch became the first non-Canadian to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy
, remaining the only American to win the award until the Boston Bruins
' Tim Thomas
in 2011. He is only the second player in league history, the first and only non-Canadian, to win the Calder Trophy, the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe in their career. The only other player to do so was Bobby Orr.
He was the Captain of the 1996 championship team representing the United States of America in the World Cup of Hockey.
Following the Rangers' Cup win in 1994, Leetch remained a fan favorite and team leader, serving as Captain
from 1997–2000 after the departure of Mark Messier
to the Vancouver Canucks
(he would hand back the captaincy to Messier upon his return to the Rangers in 2000). In 1997 he again won the Norris Trophy and the Rangers made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers
. The next years, however, were marked by disappointing team performances that saw the Rangers miss the playoffs every year.
, Jarkko Immonen
, a first-round pick in the 2004 draft
, which became Lauri Korpikoski
, and a second-round pick in 2005
, which became Michael Sauer
.
After the 2004–05 lockout, Leetch was signed by the Boston Bruins to a one-year, $4-million contract
. During this season with the Bruins, he scored his 1,000th career point.
In 1998, he was ranked number 71 on The Hockey News list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
During most of the 2006–07 season Leetch received contract offers from nearly every NHL team, but accepted none, although he made no formal announcement pertaining to his status as a player. On May 24, 2007, Brian Leetch officially announced his retirement, ending an 18-year career.
On September 18, 2007 Leetch was announced one of the four recipients of the 2007 Lester Patrick Trophy
.
On January 24, 2008, the New York Rangers retired Leetch's number 2 jersey, joining fellow 1994 Stanley Cup
Champion teammates Mark Messier
and Mike Richter
, as well as Rod Gilbert
and Eddie Giacomin
in the rafters of Madison Square Garden
. On that night, his friend, Derek Jeter
of the New York Yankees
congratulated Leetch for the honor of having his number retired with a video that ended with Jeter saying "So congratulations, from one number 2 to another." Leetch also had the honor of announcing during his ceremony that the New York Rangers
would retire his friend and former teammate Adam Graves
' number during the 2008–09 season, joining Brian and the other greats above the Garden ice.
On October 10, 2008, both Leetch and Richter were among four were inducted into the United States Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in Denver. Both of them also played for the U.S. ice hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics
, which won the silver medal.
On June 23, 2009, it was announced that Leetch would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
. He was honored during the November 6–9 induction weekend alongside Steve Yzerman
, Brett Hull
and Luc Robitaille
. The induction made it the third year in a row that a member of the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup team has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, following Messier in 2007 and Glenn Anderson
in 2008, who was also inducted along with one of the on-ice officials when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup, Ray Scapinello
.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenseman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
who played 18 National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
s with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, and Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
. He is generally considered one of the top defensemen in NHL history, being particularly noted for his skating, offense, and playmaking abilities. He and fellow Rangers teammate Mike Richter
Mike Richter
Michael Thomas Richter is a former ice hockey goaltender. One of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play. Due to his...
were inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. Leetch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
in Toronto the following year.
Leetch accumulated many individual honors during his 18-year career. He was a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's best defenseman (1992, 1997) and was the first American-born winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as Playoff MVP for his brilliant play during the Rangers' run to the 1994 Stanley Cup
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
Championship. (He held the honor of being the only American-born Conn Smythe winner until 2011, when Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins won it.) He is one of only five NHL defensemen to score 100 points in a season with his 102-point campaign in 1991–92. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1989 and his 23 goals that season remain an NHL record for rookie defensemen. Leetch's number 2 was retired by the Rangers on January 24, 2008. During the ceremony, longtime teammate Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
referred to Leetch as the single "Greatest Ranger of All Time."
Early life
Although he was born in Texas, his family moved from there three months after he was born, eventually settling in Cheshire, ConnecticutCheshire, Connecticut
Cheshire is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 28,543 at the 2000 census. The center of population of Connecticut is located in Cheshire. In 2009 Cheshire was ranked 72 in Money Magazine's 100 Best Places to Live.Likewise, in 2011 Cheshire was ranked 73 in...
. This is where Leetch began to hone his hockey skills at a local ice rink managed by his father. In high school he starred in baseball and hockey, first at Cheshire High School
Cheshire High School
Cheshire High School is located on Route 10 across from Bartlem Park in Cheshire, Connecticut. It is 15 miles north of New Haven and south of Hartford...
, and then at Avon Old Farms
Avon Old Farms
Avon Old Farms is a single-sex boarding school for boys located in Avon, Connecticut. It was founded by Theodate Pope Riddle, an RMS Lusitania survivor and a master architect. It opened in 1927 and closed for a period during World War II to serve as a convalescent hospital for blind veterans. The...
. As a sophomore, his 90-mph fastball
Fastball
The fastball is the most common type of pitch in baseball. Some "power pitchers," such as Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, have thrown it at speeds of 95–106 mph and up to 108.1 mph , relying purely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit...
helped the Cheshire Rams baseball team to a state championship and, as a senior at Avon Old Farms, he set the school record for strikeouts in a game with 19. Hockey, however, was the sport in which he excelled. As a sophomore at Cheshire, he scored 53 goals and 50 assists, earning All-state honors. In two seasons with Avon Old Farms
Avon Old Farms
Avon Old Farms is a single-sex boarding school for boys located in Avon, Connecticut. It was founded by Theodate Pope Riddle, an RMS Lusitania survivor and a master architect. It opened in 1927 and closed for a period during World War II to serve as a convalescent hospital for blind veterans. The...
he scored 70 goals and 90 assists in 54 games. These numbers were especially remarkable for a defenseman. NHL scouts were starting to take notice and the New York Rangers chose Leetch as their first-round pick (9th overall) in 1986, making him the first player drafted that year who did not play major junior hockey. Following in the footsteps of his father Jack, Brian enrolled at Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
in the fall of 1986, and, like his father, would become an All-America defenseman for the Eagles.
Playing career
After one season at Boston CollegeBoston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
he played for the 1988 US Olympic team, then made his NHL debut with the New York Rangers on February 29, 1988 vs.St. Louis (wearing number 2) scoring his first NHL point in that game with an assist on Kelly Kisio's goal. He totaled 14 points in 17 games that year, and in his first full year in 1988, he notched 71 points, including a rookie defenseman-record 23 goals, winning the Calder Trophy as well as being selected to the NHL All-Rookie Team
NHL All-Rookie Team
The NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
.
As the Rangers slowly developed into a championship-caliber team, Leetch won increasing respect from fans for his quiet demeanor and entertaining, offensive-minded play. In 1992 he became the fifth defenseman in history, and the only American defenseman, to record 100 points in a season and was awarded the Norris Trophy. Leetch was the last NHL defenseman to record 100 points in a season. In 1994 he again matched his career high of 23 goals in the regular season as the Rangers won the Presidents Trophy. That year the Rangers' 54-year championship drought ended with a 7-game Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
victory over the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
; Leetch became the first non-Canadian to be awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
, remaining the only American to win the award until the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
' Tim Thomas
Tim Thomas (ice hockey)
Timothy James Thomas, Jr. is an American professional ice hockey goaltender with the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League . Raised in Davison, MI, Thomas played college hockey for the University of Vermont for four years, from 1993–1997, during which he was drafted 217th overall by the...
in 2011. He is only the second player in league history, the first and only non-Canadian, to win the Calder Trophy, the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe in their career. The only other player to do so was Bobby Orr.
He was the Captain of the 1996 championship team representing the United States of America in the World Cup of Hockey.
Following the Rangers' Cup win in 1994, Leetch remained a fan favorite and team leader, serving as Captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
from 1997–2000 after the departure of Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
(he would hand back the captaincy to Messier upon his return to the Rangers in 2000). In 1997 he again won the Norris Trophy and the Rangers made a surprise run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. The next years, however, were marked by disappointing team performances that saw the Rangers miss the playoffs every year.
After the Rangers
After the especially unsuccessful 2004 campaign, the Rangers traded most of their high-priced veterans; Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs just prior to the trade deadline for prospects Maxim KondratievMaxim Kondratiev
Maxim Valerievich Kondratiev is a professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, Jarkko Immonen
Jarkko Immonen
Jarkko Immonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, a first-round pick in the 2004 draft
2004 NHL Entry Draft
The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
, which became Lauri Korpikoski
Lauri Korpikoski
Lauri Korpikoski is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, and a second-round pick in 2005
2005 NHL Entry Draft
The 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft.As a lockout cancelled the games of the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years...
, which became Michael Sauer
Michael Sauer (ice hockey)
Michael "Mike" Curtis Sauer is an American ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the New York Rangers of the NHL. He is the younger brother of Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Kurt Sauer, and of former Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Craig Sauer.He was drafted in the 2nd round,...
.
After the 2004–05 lockout, Leetch was signed by the Boston Bruins to a one-year, $4-million contract
Contract
A contract is an agreement entered into by two parties or more with the intention of creating a legal obligation, which may have elements in writing. Contracts can be made orally. The remedy for breach of contract can be "damages" or compensation of money. In equity, the remedy can be specific...
. During this season with the Bruins, he scored his 1,000th career point.
In 1998, he was ranked number 71 on The Hockey News list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.
During most of the 2006–07 season Leetch received contract offers from nearly every NHL team, but accepted none, although he made no formal announcement pertaining to his status as a player. On May 24, 2007, Brian Leetch officially announced his retirement, ending an 18-year career.
On September 18, 2007 Leetch was announced one of the four recipients of the 2007 Lester Patrick Trophy
Lester Patrick Trophy
The Lester Patrick Trophy has been presented by the National Hockey League and USA Hockey since 1966 to honor a recipient's contribution to ice hockey in the United States. It is considered a non-NHL trophy because it may be awarded to players, coaches, officials, and other personnel outside the NHL...
.
On January 24, 2008, the New York Rangers retired Leetch's number 2 jersey, joining fellow 1994 Stanley Cup
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
Champion teammates Mark Messier
Mark Messier
Mark Douglas Messier is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre of the National Hockey League and current special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. He spent a quarter of a century in the NHL with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver...
and Mike Richter
Mike Richter
Michael Thomas Richter is a former ice hockey goaltender. One of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play. Due to his...
, as well as Rod Gilbert
Rod Gilbert
Rodrigue Gabriel Gilbert is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League. He played right wing on the GAG line that also featured Vic Hadfield and Jean Ratelle...
and Eddie Giacomin
Eddie Giacomin
Edward "Ed" Giacomin is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings in the National Hockey League, as well as for the Providence Reds of the American Hockey League.-Playing career:Despite suffering serious burns in a kitchen accident,...
in the rafters of Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
. On that night, his friend, Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
congratulated Leetch for the honor of having his number retired with a video that ended with Jeter saying "So congratulations, from one number 2 to another." Leetch also had the honor of announcing during his ceremony that the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
would retire his friend and former teammate Adam Graves
Adam Graves
Adam Graves is a former professional hockey player. He is best-known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks...
' number during the 2008–09 season, joining Brian and the other greats above the Garden ice.
On October 10, 2008, both Leetch and Richter were among four were inducted into the United States Ice Hockey Hall of Fame in Denver. Both of them also played for the U.S. ice hockey team during the 2002 Winter Olympics
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
, which won the silver medal.
On June 23, 2009, it was announced that Leetch would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
. He was honored during the November 6–9 induction weekend alongside Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman
Stephen Gregory "Steve" Yzerman is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League...
, Brett Hull
Brett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
and Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. During his 19-season National Hockey League career, Robitaille won a Stanley Cup in 2001–02 with the Detroit Red Wings, and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, but is most known for his fourteen seasons,...
. The induction made it the third year in a row that a member of the Rangers' 1994 Stanley Cup team has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, following Messier in 2007 and Glenn Anderson
Glenn Anderson
Glenn Christopher Anderson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger in the National Hockey League who played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and St. Louis Blues...
in 2008, who was also inducted along with one of the on-ice officials when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup, Ray Scapinello
Ray Scapinello
Raymond Angelo Joseph "Scampy" Scapinello is a former National Hockey League linesman, known for having the longest on-ice career of anyone in the history of the NHL.-Early life:...
.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1983–84 | Cheshire High School Cheshire High School Cheshire High School is located on Route 10 across from Bartlem Park in Cheshire, Connecticut. It is 15 miles north of New Haven and south of Hartford... |
HS | 28 | 52 | 49 | 101 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Avon Old Farms Avon Old Farms Avon Old Farms is a single-sex boarding school for boys located in Avon, Connecticut. It was founded by Theodate Pope Riddle, an RMS Lusitania survivor and a master architect. It opened in 1927 and closed for a period during World War II to serve as a convalescent hospital for blind veterans. The... |
HS | 26 | 30 | 46 | 76 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Avon Old Farms | HS | 28 | 40 | 44 | 84 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Boston College | HE Hockey East Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.... |
37 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
17 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | New York Rangers | NHL | 68 | 23 | 48 | 71 | 50 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1989–90 | New York Rangers | NHL | 72 | 11 | 45 | 56 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | New York Rangers | NHL | 80 | 16 | 72 | 88 | 42 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1991–92 | New York Rangers | NHL | 80 | 22 | 80 | 102 | 26 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 4 | ||
| 1992–93 | New York Rangers | NHL | 36 | 6 | 30 | 36 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | New York Rangers | NHL | 84 | 23 | 56 | 79 | 27 | 23 | 11 | 23 | 34 | 6 | ||
| 1994–95 | New York Rangers | NHL | 48 | 9 | 32 | 41 | 18 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 8 | ||
| 1995–96 | New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 15 | 70 | 85 | 30 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 20 | 58 | 78 | 40 | 15 | 2 | 8 | 10 | 6 | ||
| 1997–98 | New York Rangers | NHL | 76 | 17 | 33 | 50 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 13 | 42 | 55 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | New York Rangers | NHL | 50 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 21 | 58 | 79 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | New York Rangers | NHL | 82 | 10 | 45 | 55 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | New York Rangers | NHL | 51 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | New York Rangers | NHL | 57 | 13 | 23 | 36 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 15 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 6 | ||
| 2005–06 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 61 | 5 | 27 | 32 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1205 | 247 | 781 | 1028 | 571 | 95 | 28 | 69 | 97 | 36 | ||||
Awards and achievements
- Olympic silver medalIce hockey at the 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
(2002) - Olympic Tournament All-Star Team (2002)
- James Norris Memorial TrophyJames Norris Memorial TrophyThe James Norris Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's top "defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-round ability in the position". The James Norris Memorial Trophy has been awarded 55 times to 23 different players since its beginnings in...
(Top NHL Defenseman) (1992, 1997) - NHL First Team All-StarNHL All-Star TeamThe NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
(1992, 1997) - NHL Second Team All-Star (1991, 1994, 1996)
- Stanley Cup champion (19941994 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
) - Conn Smythe TrophyConn Smythe TrophyThe Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
(NHL Playoffs MVP) (1994) - Calder Memorial TrophyCalder Memorial TrophyThe Calder Memorial Trophy is an annual award given "to the player selected as the most proficient in his first year of competition in the National Hockey League." The Rookie of the Year trophy has been awarded 79 times since its creation for the 1936–37 NHL season...
(Top NHL Rookie) (1989) - NHL All-Rookie TeamNHL All-Rookie TeamThe NHL All-Rookie Team is chosen by the Professional Hockey Writers' Association from the best rookies in the National Hockey League at each position for the season just concluded based on their performance in that year...
(1989) - NCAA East First All-American Team (1987)
- Hockey East Player of the Year (1987)
- Hockey East Rookie of the Year (1987)
- Hockey East Tournament MVP Award (1987)
- Hockey East First Team All-Star Team (1987)
- Hockey East All-Rookie Team (1987)
- All-Star Selection, Defense, 1987 IIHF world junior hockey championships
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (199040th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 40th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in the Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta, home to the Edmonton Oilers, on February 7, 1989.- The return of Wayne Gretzky :...
, 199141st National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 41st National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, home to the Pittsburgh Penguins, on January 21, 1990. The game saw the team of all-stars from the Wales conference defeat the Campbell conference all-stars 12–7...
, 199242nd National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 42nd National Hockey League All-Star Game took place in Chicago Stadium, home of the Chicago Blackhawks, on January 19, 1991.-Commissioner's Choice:...
, 199444th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 44th National Hockey League All-Star Game was the last All-Star game to take place at the Montreal Forum on February 6, 1993. Before the start of the game there was a tribute to Mario Lemieux, who was in attendance, but could not play due to his treatments for Hodgkin's Disease...
, 1996, 199747th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 47th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on January 18, 1997 at the San Jose Arena. The final score was Eastern Conference 11, Western Conference 7. This game was originally scheduled for the 1994-95 season, but was cancelled due to the 1994-95 NHL lockout.-Super Skills...
, 199848th National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 48th National Hockey League All-Star Game took place at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, home to the Vancouver Canucks, on January 18, 1998.-The International Showdown:...
, 200151st National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 51st National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on February 4, 2001, at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The final score was North America 14, World 12.-Super Skills Competition:...
, 200252nd National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 52nd National Hockey League All-Star Game took place on February 2, 2002, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The final score was World 8, North America 5. This was the last National Hockey League All-Star Game to have the North America vs...
, 200353rd National Hockey League All-Star GameThe 53rd National Hockey League All-Star Game was held during the 2002–03 NHL season, and took place at the Office Depot Center in Sunrise, Florida, the home of the Florida Panthers, on February 2, 2003...
) - Won gold medal at 1996 World Cup of Hockey1996 World Cup of HockeyThe first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey ....
– Was the captain of Team USA - While still playing, was named #71 on the 100 greatest NHL players, as compiled by The Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
(and the second-highest player born and trained in the United States, behind Frank BrimsekFrank BrimsekFrancis Charles "Mister Zero" Brimsek was an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Boston Bruins and Chicago Black Hawks in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
) - Inducted into the Hockey Hall of FameHockey Hall of FameThe Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
– 2009 - Named the Top Ranger of all time in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & SonsJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., also referred to as Wiley, is a global publishing company that specializes in academic publishing and markets its products to professionals and consumers, students and instructors in higher education, and researchers and practitioners in scientific, technical, medical, and...
, 2009)
New York Rangers awards
- MVP: 1989, 1991, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003
- Players' Player Award: 2001, 2002, 2003
- Frank Boucher Award: 2001
- Crumb Bum Award: 1994
- Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award: 1997
- Good Guy Award: 2002
- Ceil Saidel Memorial Award: 2002, 2003
# 2 jersey retired by New York Rangers on February 24, 2008
NHL records
- Most goals by a rookie defensemanDefenceman (ice hockey)Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
(23, 1988–89 season) - Two-time Norris Trophy winner (1991–92 season and 1996–97 season)
- First American-born Conn Smythe TrophyConn Smythe TrophyThe Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
award winner (19941994 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
)
New York Rangers regular season records
- Most assists, career: 741
- Most goals by a defenseman, career: 240
- Most points by a defenseman, career: 981
- Most assists, single season: 80 (1991–92)
- Most points by a defenseman, single season: 102 (1991–92)
- Most power play goals by a defenseman, single season: 23 (1993–94)
New York Rangers playoff records
- Most assists, career: 61
- Most points, career: 89
- Most assists, one year: 23, 1993–941994 Stanley Cup PlayoffsThe 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
- Most points, one year: 34, 1993–94
- Most goals by a defenseman, career: 28
- Most goals by a defenseman, one year: 11, 1993–94
See also
- List of NHL players with 1000 points
- List of NHL players with 1000 games played
External links
- Brian Leetch night – Tribute page