2000: The Rangers acquire Bert Robertson from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Jean-Francois Labbe.
2009: Brian Leetch is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
On Monday November 9, 2009 in Toronto, a humble Brian Leetch accepted his place for the ages alongside the greats of the game as he was officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
“If you look at the Hockey Hall of Fame as one big team, and everybody in one big locker room, even if I never get on the ice for one shift it’s still the best team in the world to be on,” Leetch said during his seven-minute speech during Monday’s ceremony.
“I am truly honored.”
During his speech, Leetch recounted his days as a youth hockey player growing up in Connecticut, stressing that his love for the sport began when he first laced up skates at the age of five.
“The dream of an NHL player wasn’t even there, it was too far-fetched to even be imagined,” said Leetch. “I played hockey because it was fun.”
The former nine-time All Star then proceeded to implore today’s youth hockey coaches to strive to make the game fun, just as his early coaches had done for him.
Leetch followed by providing a guided tour of his progression as a hockey player from youth leagues to school teams to the more competitive Avon Old Farms Prep, and then on to the USA Hockey program and Boston College University.
“My exposure to international competition with USA Hockey kind of gave me the skill level and the confidence to say that maybe this dream is not impossible,” said Leetch, who went on to represent the United States in three Olympiads, earning a silver medal in 2002.
When he spoke about his stellar 17-year career in the National Hockey League, Leetch first mentioned his time at the end of his playing days with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.
“The National Hockey League has gone through a lot of changes in its long history, but the one thing that never changes is the privilege it is to compete in the NHL,” stated Leetch, who amassed 1,028 points in 1,205 games. “I was lucky enough to play for three of the Original Six teams. Wearing the maple leaf and the spoked B on my jersey, like so many great players had before me, I felt a lot of pride in that.”
Not surprisingly, Leetch spent the most time speaking of his tenure with the Rangers, for whom he won the 1989 Calder Trophy as rookie of the year, two Norris Trophies as the league’s top defenseman, and the 1994 Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, the year he also became a Stanley Cup champion.
With former Rangers teammates Mark Messier, Wayne Gretzky, Mike Richter, Adam Graves, Kevin Lowe, and Jeff Beukeboom among those in attendance, Leetch expressed warm thoughts for the Rangers’ organization and “the die-hard Rangers’ fans.”
“Our hope was to play a part in bringing a championship to New York,” explained Leetch, whose 981 points as a Ranger are second most in franchise history. “But it was through our daily interactions that memories were created and lasting relationships formed.”
Leetch mentioned a few of his former teammates specifically, noting that Richter “erased a lot of my mistakes with big saves” and Messier “probably had the biggest influence on me and my career and my life outside of my parents.”
Interestingly Leetch had many professional ties among the other honorees on Monday. He was a part of Team USA with fellow inductees Brett Hull and Lou Lamoriello. And Luc Robitaille -- another member of the 2009 Hall of Fame class -- was a teammate of Leetch’s in New York for two seasons.
In addition, Leetch made sure to congratulate former Rangers’ television analyst John Davidson for receiving this year’s Foster Hewitt Award, which is presented in honor of broadcasting excellence.
Leetch’s final words about his time in New York were particularly moving.
“I can only say that my sincere gratitude and appreciation go to everyone that helped shape and influence me during my years in New York. Madison Square Garden, New York City, and the New York Rangers will always feel like home to me.”
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