The Rangers honored their Legendary Goaltenders

Honoring those who did magical saves between the pipes

New York, NY- On Thursday Night, February 5th, just before the Winter Olympic Break came into play, the New York Rangers honored those men who made Rangers fans cheer out loud and chanted their names inside Madison Square Garden. Not only have we seen our current goalies create big saves like Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick, but those from the past who we remembered grace the ice at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

John Davidson

He made his third trip back to Madison Square Garden, once again, the love poured from the crowd, chanting his name, J.D.!, J.D.! J.D.!, for another Centennial Night at the Garden. Making huge saves for the Rangers during the playoffs in the 1978-79 season to defeat the New York Islanders in seven games. Of course, he took over for Eddie Giacomin after he was put on waivers and claimed by the Detroit Red Wings.

But after that trial by fire, Davidson was always a Ranger, no matter what, after his trade coming over from the St. Louis Blues. After his playing career ended, Davidson went into broadcasting and became an analyst first for CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada, then came back home to be the analyst with Sam Rosen for 20 years on MSG Network. He, along with Rose,n called every playoff game except for three road games at the New Jersey Devils and two on National TV at ABC against the New York Islanders.

After being hired by the Blues as their General Manager, then leaving St. Louis for Columbus, Ohio to be the GM of the Blue Jackets, J.D. returned home again to become the President of the Rangers, but sadly was a short-lived position. He did return to the broadcast booth at the Garden one more time in the final season of Sam Rosen’s TV career when TNT asked both men to call the game when the Rangers played the Philadelphia Flyers.

J.D. is currently a Senior Advisor and an Alternate Governor of the Blue Jackets.

Gilles Villemure

Returning to the Garden for his second Centennial Night celebration, Gilles Villemure was the backup goaltender with Eddie Giacomin during the years at the old Garden on 8th Avenue between W. 49th & W. 50th Streets to the current Garden between 7th & 8th Avenues and between W. 31st & W. 33rd Streets above Penn Station. Villemure, along with Giacomin, shared the win of the Vezina Trophy in the 1970-71 season.

John Vanbiesbrouck

Making his second visit to a Centennial Night, John Vanbiesbrouck was known by Rangers fans as “THE BEEZER!” Every time he made a big save, his nickname was chanted throughout Madison Square Garden. He became the starting goaltender for the Rangers along with veteran Bob Frose, who was his backup, and at the end of the 1985-86 season, Vanbiesbrouck won the Vezina Trophy. In the early 90’s, Vanbiesbrouck shared the starting goaltender duties with Mike Richter till the offseason in the 1993-94 season began.

Vanbiesbrouck’s Rangers career ended by getting traded to the Vancouver Canucks, but eventually selected in the expansion draft by the Florida Panthers. After playing for several other teams, Vanbiesbrouck did some coaching and was the General Manager of the USA World Junior Hockey Team from 2019 to 2025. Winning three gold medals, a silver, and a bronze.

Mike Richter

Making his second Centennial night event, Mike Richter, at the time, was becoming a household name for himself as one of the top American goaltenders in the National Hockey League. Once John Vanbiesbrouck was dealt to Vancouver, then selected in the 1993-94 expansion draft by the Florida Panthers, Richter became the clear-cut number one goaltender for the Rangers.

Under Head Coach Mike Keenan, Richter, along with Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, and the rest of the team that season finally won the Stanley Cup, ending the 54-year jinx that has plauged so many Rangers fans and players have been chanted against by opposing fans. He also won the renamed Canada Cup as the World Cup of Hockey and won it at the Bell Centre in Montreal after a three-game series that had game one in Philadelphia, and the other two in Montreal, Quebec.

Richter was the MVP of the 1994 NHL All-Star Game that was also held at Madison Square Garden, and throughout his career at the time became the winningest goaltender in Rangers history by surpassing Eddie Giacomin when he earned his 267th win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, which was won in overtime by his teammate Brian Leetch.

While Richter was the idol of current Rangers backup goaltender Jonathan Quick, he was adored by many Rangers fans and was the first player in that Stanley Cup Championship season to have his banner raised to the rafters and his number retired since Eddie Giacomin. He has also attended other teammates and former Rangers players on their banner-raising ceremonies, like Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves, and former greats like Harry Howell, Andy Bathgate, Jean Ratelle, Vic Hadfield, and the last one for Henrik Lundqvist.

Henrik Lundqvist

Simply known as “THE KING” because he wore the jersey for the Swedish National Team with three crowns on it, and he was a Shootout master after games would remain tied in overtime. Lundqvist was a late-round selection, and after the NHL lockout that cancelled the entire season in 2004-05 with no Stanley Cup Champion, Henrik Lundqvist quickly took over for Kevin Weekes as the starting goaltender and had it locked for many years.

Of course, his intense preparations helped him create amazing saves that no one thought were humanly possible. His anticipation near his posts was amazing. No matter how deep he was in his crease, Lundqvist made saves like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat or a deck of cards out of his sleeves. Using his glove, blocker, pads, and paddle, he found ways to make the saves. A Vezina Trophy winner and led the team to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals.

But whenever he was pencilled in as one of the three stars of the game, he would skate around the rink, waiving to the crowd, then became a paddle tosser to the fans in his appreciation. Just like a famous musician would toss his guitar picks at his fans. There was that one moment when three Rangers fans were fighting over his goalie stick and wouldn’t relent after Lundqvist tossed it into the crowd.

Lundqvist has won the first four of the six outdoor games for the Rangers. Two Winter Classics and two Stadium Series Games at Philadelphia, against the Devils, Islanders, and the Buffalo Sabres. After he retired from the game, Lundqvist became a part-time analyst on MSG Networks for Rangers games and was also a part-time analyst on TNT’s coverage of the NHL.

Eddie Giacomin

Before the season started, Eddie Giacomin passed away at his home in Birmingham, Michigan. It was a shame that he couldn’t be at the Garden to receive his Centennial Rangers Jersey and stand in front of the crowd at The Garden for one more time. But taking his place were his three adult children, Mark, Nancy, & David, as they stood with the five former goaltenders being honored at The Garden.

He played nine seasons with the Rangers in the 1966-67 season, then was put on waivers and selected by the Detroit Red Wings during the 1975-76 season. The Sudbury, Ontario Native played 534 games, earned 266 wins, 172 losses, 89 Ties, and 49 shutouts. He shared the Vezina Trophy with Gilles Villemure in the 1970-71 season. He also had his number retired as the second Ranger player to have that honor on March 19th, 1989. He was also the Rangers Goaltender Coach for two seasons.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Lester Patrick

He was the coach of the New York Rangers, and during the 1927-28 season, Lester Patrick decided to suit up as the backup goalie when Lorne Chabot suffered an eye injury against the Montreal Maroons in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. He was 44 years old, and he told his team, “Boys, don’t let an old man down,” in the second period.

Lorne Chabot

He played in the very first two seasons of the New York Rangers, including winning the club’s first Stanley Cup Championship. The Montreal, Quebec, native played 80 Games, 41 Wins, 25 Losses, and 14 Ties, with 21 shutouts.

Andy Aitkenhead

He played three seasons with the Rangers from the 1932-33 season till the end of the 1934-35 season. The Glasgow, Scotland, Native played 106 games, 47 Wins, 43 losses, and 16 ties. He helped win the club’s second Stanley Cup Championship in his first season with the club. After his three seasons with the Rangers, Aitkenhead never played in the NHL again.

Aitkenhead was the second NHL Player to come from the United Kingdom; he was the first Scotsman to play in the NHL and the first for the Rangers. Four others from Scotland were Sandy Fitzpatrick from 1964 – 1968, Alex Gray from 1927 – 1929, Sam McAdam from 1930-31, and Jim Ross from 1951 – 1953. From Wales was Jack Evans from 1948 to 1963. From Ireland, Bobby Kirk from 1937 to 1938, and from England, Gord Pettinger from 1932 – 1940, won two Stanley Cups.

Dave Kerr

He played seven seasons with the Rangers from the 1934-35 season til the 1940-41 season. The Toronto, Ontario, Native played 324 Games, 184 Wins, 110 Losses, 52 Ties with 40 shutouts. He was the last goaltender on the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup in the 1939-40 season before Mike Richter did it in 1993-94.

Chuck Rayner

He played eight seasons with the Rangers from the 1945-46 season to the 1952-53 season. The Sutherland, Saskatchewan, native played 376 Games, 123 Wins, 180 Losses, and 24 shutouts. He was one of the rare goaltenders to win the Hart Trophy for Most Valuable Player and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973.

Lorne “Gump” Worsley

He played 10 seasons with the Rangers from the 1952-53 Season till the 1962-63 Season. The Montreal, Quebec, native played 582 Games, 204 Wins, 269 Loses, 101 Ties, and 24 shutouts. Won the Calder Trophy as the best rookie of the 1952-53 season and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the class of 1980.

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“Game Day. Done Right.”

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