Over the previous 30 years, the Rangers have been blessed with elite goaltending. Everybody remembers Henrik Lundqvist, one of the best goaltender within the league through the 2010s. Despite the fact that they didn’t win a cup, Lundqvist was the primary catalyst for the Rangers making the playoffs seven straight seasons. Then after Lundqvist left the group, they changed him with Igor Shesterkin. Though it’s solely Shesterkin’s sixth season within the league, he’s on tempo to have an awesome NHL profession. Nonetheless, misplaced within the shuffle is one other nice Rangers goaltender, Mike Richter
Richter spent his whole 14-year profession with the Blueshirts, from 1989-90 to 2002-03. He was the guts and soul of the group, all through his profession, and had an enduring impression on the Rangers. A lot in order that they retired his quantity 35 in 2004. Nonetheless, regardless of all his accomplishments, he has been handed over for the Hockey Corridor of Fame.
Richter Profession Stats and Achievements
To start, let’s have a look at Richter’s profession numbers. Over his 14-year profession, he performed in 666 video games with a document of 301-258-73. Now document isn’t an awesome indicator of a goalie’s success, however 300 wins continues to be a powerful feat. He had a profession save proportion of .904 and a goals-against-average of two.89. Each are spectacular numbers and present Richter’s longevity, which is his largest argument for the corridor. Richter was by no means one of the best within the league, however he was persistently an excellent goalie. To do this over 14 years must be acknowledged.
Richter additionally had the {hardware} to again up his stats. He was a three-time all-star and received all-star recreation MVP in 1994 at MSG. He was a Venznia finalist in 1990-91 and completed within the prime ten of voting 5 occasions. He’s additionally a member of the US Hockey Corridor of Fame, and the Philadephia Sports activities Corridor of Fame.
His elite play adopted him in worldwide tournaments. For over three a long time, Richter was part of Workforce USA and was their beginning goalie. He competed in three Olympic video games. Nonetheless, his most memorable one got here in 2002 when he helped the US win the Silver Medal in Salt Lake Metropolis. He additionally took dwelling Gold for the US within the first World Cup of Hockey in 1996.
His Corridor of Fame Second
Though his numbers and achievements are spectacular, to get into the corridor you want a second. One thing when individuals look again in your profession, that’s the primary place they go to. Fortunately for Richter that got here in 1994.
Anybody who is aware of something concerning the Rangers is aware of “The Curse of 1940”. The 54-year drought the Rangers went on after they didn’t win the Stanley Cup. Though the explanation for “the curse” is unknown many imagine it was because of the Rangers burning the mortgage to MSG III within the bowl of the Cup. Nonetheless “the curse” led to 1994 when the Rangers beat the Cancuks in seven video games for his or her first Stanley Cup since 1939-40.
Though overshadowed by guys like Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, and Stephane Matteau, Richter performed a pivotal function for the group because the beginning goalie. He appeared in 68 video games that season and had a document of 42-12-6. He had a save proportion of .910 and a goals-against-average of two.57, one of the best of his profession. Throughout the playoffs, he solely bought higher. He had a save proportion of .921 and a goals-against-average of two.07. Within the clinching recreation of the Stanley Cup, he stopped 28 of 30 photographs propelling the Rangers to victory. It’s simple to say that with out Richter, “The Curse of 1940” continues to be haunting the Rangers. With all of this in thoughts, it seems like a no brainer Richter ought to be within the Corridor of Fame.
Thanks for studying! Credit score for my characteristic picture goes to Doug Pensinger. You could find extra NHL content material at Stomach Up Sports activities and comply with me on Twitter/X.