The New York Rangers have a long tradition of honoring their top goaltenders, with three legendary players—Eddie Giacomin, Mike Richter, and Henrik Lundqvist—having their jerseys retired at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers are one of only two NHL teams to recognize three goaltenders in this way.
Eddie Giacomin joined the Rangers in 1965 after a trade from the Providence Reds. He started his career wearing jersey No. 30 but switched to No. 1 by his second game. Over the next decade, Giacomin led the team to nine straight playoff appearances and earned several accolades, including being runner-up for the Hart Trophy and sharing the Vezina Trophy with teammate Gilles Villemure in 1970-71. His impact extended beyond statistics; he was well-liked by teammates and fans alike.
“I was a Philadelphia Flyers fan when I was a kid,” said Mike Richter, “but I loved Eddie Giacomin. I remember having a hockey stamp of his when I was a kid. Eddie was such a cool guy, and he handled the puck like nobody else. I was just so enamored by him and he played so well against the Flyers for so many years that you came to appreciate him. That’s when you know you’re a great player – when the people who want you to lose are kind of cheering for you because you’re that good. Eddie was that kind of player.”
Steve Vickers, who played alongside Giacomin for four seasons, described him as an emotional leader: “He was our captain, just without the ‘C’ (on his jersey).”
Giacomin’s influence remained strong even after leaving New York. When he returned as a Detroit Red Wings player in November 1975, fans gave him an extended ovation throughout the game.
“So many things have happened on that stage (at MSG),” said former PR director John Halligan years later. “But I think the uniqueness of this particular moment, the fact that he was coming back with another team and having 17,500 people root for him, we’ll probably never see that again.”
Mike Richter entered Rangers history after being drafted in 1985 and making his debut during the playoffs in 1989—the same year Giacomin’s No. 1 jersey had been retired. Unable to wear No. 1 himself, Richter chose No. 35 instead.
Richter became known as a reliable performer in high-pressure games, especially during the Rangers’ Stanley Cup run in 1994 when he set records for wins both during regular season play and playoffs.
“Eddie has always been a really supportive, good friend,” Richter recalled about breaking Giacomin’s record for most franchise wins as goaltender: “I remember that he wrote me an incredibly gracious note when I broke that record. I just thought, ‘wow, here is this icon as a goalie and in the sport who is reaching out as graciously as possible.’ I have a lot of regard for Eddie Giacomin, and that was pretty meaningful.”
After retiring in September 2003, Richter saw his own jersey raised at Madison Square Garden on February 4th of the following year.
Henrik Lundqvist joined this lineage after being drafted by New York in 2000 and arriving from Sweden ahead of the 2005-06 season; while playing overseas he’d worn No. 35 but selected No. 30 upon joining training camp with New York.
“The first time I met Mike was the first time I was in New York as a 19-year-old,” Lundqvist said about meeting Richter early on: “I was drafted by the Rangers the year before and I was in New York to visit, and Mike was in the players’ lounge by the locker room. Mike is a legend and he couldn’t have been nicer to me.”
Lundqvist went on to set franchise records for career appearances, wins, shutouts—and earned nine Team MVP awards over fifteen seasons with New York.
In March of 2014 within five days Lundqvist surpassed both Richter’s win record (302) and Giacomin’s shutout mark (50). A ceremony held at Madison Square Garden recognized these achievements; both former goalies attended.
“Having Eddie and Mike out there with me was very special,” Lundqvist said at that event: “When you start playing many years for a franchise it’s hard not to care so much about organization… To have them be out there celebrating that moment for me was special.”
On January 28th ,2022 Lundqvist’s number joined those of Giacomin’s #1 & Richter’s #35 above MSG ice—a celebration marking not only individual achievement but also decades-long continuity among elite goaltenders representing the Rangers.
“When you name goaltenders who have played for this organization there are lot great goaltenders,” Lundqvist added.“It’s pretty cool be part list this franchise.”
A future event will honor more than century’s worth top netminders: tickets are available now for fans interested attending upcoming games featuring tributes historic talent between pipes.
