Henrik Lundqvist had his no. 30 retired by the New York Rangers on Friday. Part of a long ceremony celebrating Hank’s career, the Rangers collected congratulations from Lundqvist’s teammates and biggest rivals.
Two of Hank’s former teammates from the Capitals participated including Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom – two likely Hockey Hall of Famers.
Capitals legend Henrik Lundqvist had his jersey retired by the New York Rangers on Friday ahead of the team’s game against the Minnesota Wild. The Rangers said Lundqvist would receive the honor two hours after he officially announced his retirement on August 20.
Lundqvist became the eleventh Rangers player in franchise history to have his jersey retired. Hank joined Ed Giacomin’s no. 1, Brian Leetch’s no. 2, Harry Howell’s no. 3, Rod Gilbert’s no. 7, Andy Bathgate’s no. 9, Adam Graves’ no. 9, Vic Hadfield’s no. 11, Mark Messier’s no. 11, Jean Ratelle’s no. 19, and Mike Richter’s no. 35 up in the rafters.
“April 2001 – the first time I set foot in [Madison Square Garden],” Lundqvist said during his speech. “I was drafted the year before. I was here to watch get a glimpse to play in the NHL and be a New York Ranger. I remember I left with a lot in my mind. This place both scared me and inspired me at the same time. People were so passionate, so intense. They cared about the team, the game. The competitor in me absolutely loved it.”
Lundqvist would go on to post a 459-310-96 record with a .918 save percentage and a 2.43 goals against average during his 15-year career in New York.
By Ian Oland 4 months ago
Not only can future Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist call Alex Ovechkin a former teammate, but he can also lay claim to being one of Ovi’s most terrorized victims in goal, too. The Vezina-winning Lundqvist was scored on by Ovi 24 times during his illustrious 15-year career — more than any other goaltender in NHL history except Marc-Andre Fleury (25).
With that context established, I would like to take you to this past Wednesday, where Lundqvist was asked by the TNT panel if Ovechkin had the best shot he’s ever faced.
Lundqvist said it was “up there” and then took the time to explain, with nuance, what makes Ovechkin’s howitzer of a shot just so darn special.
Former Rangers and Capitals goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, has been a busy boy since retiring from hockey over the summer.
Lundqvist joined MSG Networks to be a TV analyst of the Rangers. It took a little over a month for TNT to hire the future Hall of Famer to its national coverage.
It’s been a natural fit so far, mostly because Lundqvist seems like he was crafted in a lab for television. He’s incredibly good-looking (even I notice it), breathlessly articulate, and impossibly good at everything — even playing guitar.
In fact, Lundqvist’s first appearance on Wednesday went semi-viral and got the attention of one wildly famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band.
Future Hall of Fame goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who retired over the offseason due to his heart condition, has a new gig. Lundqvist announced on Wednesday that he’s joining MSG Networks to be an analyst of the New York Rangers.
“For 15 years it was all about playing Rangers hockey, it’s now time to TALK Rangers hockey,” Lundqvist said. “Really happy to join @msgnetwork this season to discuss and stay connected to the game.”
By Ian Oland 8 months ago
After being bought out by the New York Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist signed with the Capitals ahead of the 2020-21 season, hoping that his career would have a fairy-tale ending like Ray Bourque’s. Instead, a heart condition, that worsened over the offseason, ended Lundqvist’s season before it began.
The goaltender went to extreme measures to try and find a way to come back to the NHL. According to GP’s Johan Rylander and the Rangers’ blog Forever Blueshirts, who presented an English translation, Lundqvist chose to have his faulty aortic valve replaced by one made of cow tissue, instead of a mechanical valve, to avoid going on blood thinners. The decision gave Hank a better chance of returning to the Capitals, but he will have to have another heart surgery in the future.
Shortly after Henrik Lundqvist retired from hockey this morning, the New York Rangers made an announcement of their own.
The team will retire Lundqvist’s number 30 at Madison Square Garden next season. What was already a foregone conclusion took the Rangers’ less than two hours to decide and announce.
By Ian Oland 9 months ago
Henrik Lundqvist, 39, announced his retirement from hockey on Friday after 15 seasons in the NHL — all with the New York Rangers.
The King held a press conference at Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden, to say goodbye to the sport he so dearly loved. The speech began a few minutes after 3 PM (Swedish time) or 9 AM Eastern Time.
The venue was personally significant. Scandinavium Arena is where Lundqvist watched his first professional hockey game as a kid. The barn is also home to Frölunda HC – the team he dreamed to play for and would later star with as a young adult before moving on to New York Rangers and the NHL in 2005.
By Ian Oland 9 months ago
Henrik Lundqvist‘s NHL hockey career began in October 2005, when the 23-year-old rookie allowed three goals on 27 shots in an overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. He got better after that.
Hank’s long and storied career officially ended today, and as hard as we try we will never properly appreciate how special this player was. Lundqvist was so good for so long, and he did it despite playing behind the New York Rangers, whose defensive talent was just plain cold piss for fifteen years.
By Peter Hassett 9 months ago
Henrik Lundqvist is calling it a career after a heart condition caused him to miss the entire 2020-21 season.
Lundqvist announced his retirement during a press conference at Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden. The barn is where Lundqvist watched his first professional hockey game as a five-year-old and is the home to Frölunda HC – the team Lundqvist would star with as a teenager before moving on to the NHL during the 2005-06 season.
The King ends his career never having played a game for the Washington Capitals. He leaves the game with 459 wins, the sixth-most victories in NHL history and the most among goalies who played every game of their career with one team (New York Rangers).
By Ian Oland 9 months ago
