In a move that seemed inevitable, Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist will have his jersey hung in the rafters of Madison Square Garden this season.
The team announced Monday that the goaltender’s No. 30 will be retired in a pregame ceremony before New York takes on the Wild on Jan. 28, 2022. The team’s backbone for 15 years, Lundqvist announced his retirement prior to this season as a heart condition prevented him from being able to put the pads back on after open heart surgery.
Lundqvist retired sixth in NHL history in career wins.
“Over the franchise’s history, only 11 Rangers players have earned the honor of having their numbers raised to the Garden rafters, where they forever serve as inspiration for others to follow,” Rangers CEO Jim Dolan said in a statement.
“For 15 seasons, Henrik Lundqvist embodied everything the Rangers organization stands for - excellence, commitment, pride, and leadership. It is only fitting that his No. 30 will now join the legends who have come before him.”
The future Hall of Famer will join fellow goalie Mike Richter, Rod Gilbert, Ed Giacomin, Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, Andy Bathgate, Harry Howell, Jean Ratelle and Vic Hadfield as the only players to have their sweater retired by the Rangers.
Listen to New York sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest Rangers team gear
Lundqvist helped the Rangers reach the Stanley Cup in 2014, and was a Vezina Trophy winner during the 2011-12 season. He is in the top 10 all time in playoff saves, starts and games played, and is the Rangers’ franchise leader in wins, shutouts, games played, starts and saves.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
Follow WFAN on Social Media
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch