Rangers Double-Dip at U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
Brian Leetch and Mike Richter to be enshrined
Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 2:40 PMUncle Sam is smiling — and so is Father Knickerbocker — both wearing ice skates, of course.
The reason: Brian Leetch and Mike Richter have been named among the next four entrants in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Class of 2008. Other winners include Brett Hull and Cammi Granato, sister of ex-Ranger — and newest Colorado Avalanche coach — Tony Granato.
Could there be a better double-dip for the Rangers? Not really.
Leetch, arguably, ranks among the best Rangers backliners of the post-World War II era; if not the best of all-time. I can almost do a ditto for Richter when ranking the Blueshirts best-of-the-best. Mike is side-by-side with Charlie Rayner, Ed Giacomin and Davey Kerr when it comes to New York's top puck-stoppers.
Thus, The Maven has to agree with USA Hockey's president, Ron DeGregorio, when he puts his critique on the latest entrants.
"The Class of 2008 is one of the most accomplished groups that's ever been inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame," says DeGregorio. "It's indeed with great pleasure that we welcome them to the group of hockey immortals in our country."
The moment I heard the announcement, two vignettes came to mind. For Leetch, I instantly recalled that precious moment in the Spring of 1994 when the Rangers hosted Vancouver in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. I figured that the first goal would be decisive. The Rangers already had blown a three-games-to-one lead and now faced an ignominious defeat had the Canucks triumphed.
That's where Leetch proved his clutch-ability; delivering the pivotal opening score after streaking over the enemy blue line before powering a shot over goalie Kirk McLean. Rangers fans know the rest.
As for Richter, I hark back to the thoroughly remarkable 1994 series with the Devils. This was at the Meadowlands; Devils improbably leading the series three games to two with the clincher on the plate. Jacques Lemaire's team ran up a 2-0 lead and seemed on the brink of busting open the game — and the series. Another Jersey goal would be a backbreaker. And that's where Richter came through.
While his teammates appeared in disorderly retreat, the nimble goaltender made a spate of decisive saves including a gem on John MacLean. The saves enabled the Rangers to eventually regroup behind captain Mark Messier, who rallied the troops with a game-winning hat trick. But without the Richter saves, the 1994 Stanley Cup never would have been possible.
Of course, the respective credentials go far beyond a couple of games. Leetch played in 18 NHL seasons and was an 11-time All-Star, winning two Norris Trophies, among other prizes. Richter played in 666 games during a 14-year career. His 301 wins are more than any other Rangers goalie. Unfortunately, a concussion prematurely ended his career.
Brett did something few big-leaguers could accomplish: he followed his Hall-of-Fame father, Bobby Hull, with a spectacular career of his own and a dynamic shot that equaled the best The Golden Jet, his dad, ever delivered. His career spanned two decades and includes 1,391 points and 741 points, third all-time in NHL history.
Last, but certainly not least, Cammi Granato emerged as a major figure in lifting the caliber of women's hockey in America as well as the world. She achieved international fame by captaining Team USA to the Gold Medal during the 1998 Winter Olympics at Nagano, Japan. Her many other accomplishments earned her the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the USA. She will be the first female inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to the quartet from The Maven, who — as a Brooklynite — yearned to make a name in the game as a player. They did it; I didn't. But I'm tickled to write about their honors!
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