Sergio Momesso LW (1995-1996) Tomas Sandstrom RW (1984-1990) John Vanbiesbrouck G (1981-1983)
Today in NYR History September 4, 2003:
Mike Richter announces his retirement from the NHL.
Richter, at the time, the Rangers winningest goalie and their only one to win a Stanley Cup since 1940, choked back tears several times while reading from a prepared speech.
''It's a bit of a confusing day for me,'' he said. ''I feel great sadness, because I have to give up something I truly love.''
After he took a particularly long pause, Richter tried to make a joke that this was not the place in his speech where he was supposed to cry. But then he whispered into the microphone, ''I'm in denial.''
And that appeared to be true. His teammates and friends knew he wanted to keep playing, but Richter, the father of two sons, ages 3 and 1, knew he would be risking his health if he were hit in the head again.
So, in a room decorated with action photos of him, Richter said he would end his career after 14 seasons, all with the Rangers. Mark Messier, the Rangers' stoic captain, left the dais as a video of Richter's highlights was shown.
''That was a tough one,'' Messier said. ''It was a tough day for everybody. I can speak for every Ranger fan, and every hockey fan, especially in New York, that it was a tough day in New York.''
James Dolan, the chief executive of Cablevision, which owns Madison Square Garden and the Rangers, said, ''For us, it's not a happy day at all.''
"If you're going to be successful, you're going to need to have all the characteristics of a Mike Richter," Sather said.
The Rangers had signed him for two years last July and wanted him to come back.
Sather said it took Richter a long time to come to grips with his medical history, because Richter did not want his career to end.
Richter played in 666 games and won 301, more than any other Rangers goaltender (a total later surpassed by Henrik Lundqvist), and he helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994.
Richter played his final game on November 5, 2002 against Edmonton, and he was inadvertently kneed in the head during a collision with Oilers forward Todd Marchant.
Richter had missed the last nine games of the 2001-2002 season with a fractured skull and concussion incurred when a rising shot by Atlanta's Chris Tamer hit him in the face mask.
The Rangers retired Richter’s #35 on February 4th, 2004.
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