Rangers Announce Hadfield's No. 11 To Be Retired Next Season

Hadfield becomes the 10th player in franchise history to have his number retired

by Matt Calamia @MattCalamia / NYRangers.com

7:10 PM  

For years, Vic Hadfield flanked Jean Ratelle and Rod Gilbert on the left side of the Goal-A-Game line. And next season, he'll retake his spot alongside his Hall of Fame teammates back home at Madison Square Garden when his No. 11 becomes the 10th jersey retired by the Rangers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, next season the G-A-G Line will be reunited … when the Rangers organization retires Vic Hadfield's No. 11," Gilbert said during Sunday's ceremony, honoring Ratelle and retiring his No. 19 sweater.

Hadfield ranks among the best to ever wear the Broadway Blue. His 572 points is ninth all time in franchise history, while his 262 goals as a member of the Rangers puts him fifth, with his GAG linemates Nos. 1 and 2.

Of course, Hadfield turned in one of the best regular season performances by any Ranger during the 1971-72 season when he scored 50 goals and 106 points. His 50 goals that season was the most in franchise history until that point, and remained that way for 22 seasons until Adam Graves eclipsed it during the 1993-94 campaign, while his 23 power play goals was the franchise's high-water mark until 2005-06.

The 1971-72 season was the apex of the GAG line, with all three members finishing with 43 or more goals and at least 97 points, and each earning a trip to the 1972 All-Star Game.

At the time of his departure from New York following the 1973-74 season, Hadfield was fourth all-time in games played, goals and assists.