Opinion
NY Rangers retire Henrik Lundqvist’s No. 30 in Garden ceremony
The King has taken his throne within the rafters at Madison Sq. Backyard.
Henrik Lundqvist grew to become the eleventh participant to have his quantity retired by the New York Rangers when a banner together with his title and No. 30 was raised on the Backyard earlier than the group’s 3-2 loss in opposition to the Minnesota Wild on Friday night time.
The Swedish goalie spent his whole 15-year taking part in profession with the Rangers after being chosen within the seventh spherical of the 2000 NHL draft, ending with a report of 459-310-96 with a 2.43 goals-against common and .918 save-percentage. After the 2019-20 season, he had the ultimate yr of his contract purchased out by New York and signed with Washington for the following shortened season however didn’t play after having coronary heart surgical procedure.
The 39-year-old Lundqvist, a fan favourite in New York from the beginning of his stellar profession, acquired an ovation and cheers of “Hen-rik! Hen-rik!” from the group when he was introduced and walked out on the blue carpet on the ice, after which once more when he was known as to the rostrum by Rangers broadcaster Sam Rosen.
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“Once I look again at my 15 years right here, what provides me probably the most satisfaction it’s not the wins or the non-public recognition however its actually the dedication,” Lundqvist stated. “The dedication I felt to the New York Rangers and the dedication they confirmed me for thus lengthy.”
Lundqvist grew to become the third Rangers goalie to have his jersey retired, becoming a member of Ed Giacomin (1) and Mike Richter (35). Brian Leetch (2), Harry Howell (3), Rod Gilbert (7), Andy Bathgate (9), Adam Graves (9), Vic Hadfield (11), Mark Messier (11), and Jean Ratelle (19) even have been honored.
The New York Rangers retire quantity 30 of former goaltender Henrik Lundqvist earlier than an NHL hockey sport between the Rangers and the Minnesota Wild. Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.
(Related Press)
“I’m so joyful I get a chance to say thanks to all of the superb followers in right here and round this nice metropolis,” stated Lundqvist, who was interrupted with extra chants of “Hen-rik!” throughout his speech. “You will have supported me all through my nice profession. It’s been an incredible expertise and its given me a lot pleasure.”
Lundqvist was joined for the ceremony by his dad and mom Peter and Eva, twin brother Joel, sister Gabriella, wife Therese, daughters Charlise and Juli. Richter, Leetch, Graves and Messier had been additionally in attendance. Present Rangers gamers sat on the bench through the ceremony, all sporting No. 30 jerseys and Lundqvist’s title on the again. Wild gamers, together with former teammate Mats Zuccarello had been additionally current.
Lundqvist appeared in 5 All-Sar video games and is sixth in NHL historical past in wins. He additionally holds the Rangers’ franchise information for victories (459), playoff wins (61), shutouts (64) and video games performed (887). He presently serves as a studio analyst on MSG Networks’ pregame, intermission and postgame reveals.
He was offered with a Rangers-themed electrical guitar painted by Dave Gunnarson — the Swedish artist who painted many masks Lundqvist used throughout his profession — and offered by tennis nice John McEnroe, a framed assortment of 74 pucks from his every of his common season and playoff shutouts, three bottles of wine from Winery 36, and a customized Louis Vuitton steamer trunk together with his No. 30 on it.
Former New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, heart, watches as his quantity is retired earlier than an NHL hockey sport between the Rangers and the Minnesota Wild Friday, Jan. 28, 2022 in New York. He was joined by 4 former Rangers who’ve additionally had their quantity retired, from left, Mark Messier, Mike Richter, Adam Graves and Brian Leetch.
(Related Press)
“Those who know me and performed with me know that I used to be fairly intense,” Lundqvist stated. “I didn’t discuss a lot. … Teammates realized fairly rapidly {that a} dialog with me on a sport day, that might be a fairly quick dialog.
“The highs had been excessive, however the lows had been low and there was not a lot in between. That’s how I select to dwell my life for the previous 20 years, and 15 right here in New York, by no means actually modified. Taking part in effectively and attempting to assist the group win, that was so essential to me. Was it excessive? In all probability. Was it wholesome? Solely once we had been profitable. That distinction I felt between profitable and shedding actually pushed me all through my profession.”
Lundqvist additionally spoke with media hours earlier than the ceremony, joined by his wife, Therese, and daughters, together with Rangers common supervisor and president Chris Drury and former GM and president Glen Sather — now a senior adviser.
“I can truthfully say understanding Hank and taking part in with Hank that he’s given me the simplest reply I’ll ever have. We need to be like Hank,’’ Drury stated. “His want, his dedication, his will to win … his dedication to the group and town. He’s the gold customary of what a New York Ranger is.”
Sather recalled seeing Lundqvist play in Gothenburg, Sweden, again in 2004, a yr earlier than he joined the Rangers.
“I stated, that is ‘the following one.’ Sather stated. “I’d solely seen him one sport. There was one thing about him, the best way he electrified the group. His poise. The way in which he carried out himself.”
Lundqvist is the primary Rangers participant to have his quantity retired since Hadfield on Dec. 2, 2018.
Freelance author Allan Kreda contributed to this report.
Comply with Vin Cherwoo at http://www.twitter.com/VinCherwooAP
