Sep 7, 2007, 1:06 GMT
New York, NY - The New York Rangers announced Thursday that former long-time NHL defenseman Brian Leetch will have his jersey retired by the club this season.
Leetch, who wore No. 2 with the Rangers, will see his jersey raised to the rafters prior to the Blueshirts' game at Madison Square Garden against the Atlanta Thrashers on January 24.
He will join Ed Giacomin (1), Rod Gilbert (7), Mark Messier (11), and Mike Richter (35) as one of five former New York greats to be so honored.
'I appreciate that the New York Rangers have extended the honor of raising my jersey to the Madison Square Garden rafters,' Leetch said. 'This night will be a very special one for me and my family and I look forward to returning to Madison Square Garden and being able to call it home.'
The two-time Norris Trophy winner spent more than 16 seasons in New York, ranking as the Rangers' all-time leader among defensemen in goals, assists and points. He ended his career with 247 goals, 781 assists, and 1,028 points in 1,205 games.
Leetch was a key member of the Rangers' Stanley Cup championship club in 1994. He registered 11 goals and 23 assists in 23 games en route to being awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
The native of Corpus Christi, Texas was originally selected by the Rangers in the first round (ninth overall) in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft. He played one season at Boston College before jumping to the USA's Olympic team the following season.
He made his NHL debut in February 1988 at Madison Square Garden, then posted 23 goals and 71 points in 68 games the following year.
In 1991-92, the Connecticut-raised blueliner scored 102 points, becoming only the fifth defenseman in league history to top the century mark as the Rangers won the Patrick Division regular season title. He was awarded the Norris Trophy as best defenseman for the first time.
A second Norris Trophy came in 1996-97, when he accumulated 78 points in 82 games as the Rangers advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Upon the departure of then-captain Mark Messier to Vancouver after the season, he was named 23rd captain in team history, a title which he held until Messier's return in 2000.
He remained in Manhattan until a March, 2004 trade sent him to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Following the cancelled 2004-2005 season, Leetch signed with the Boston Bruins, scoring five goals and 32 points in 61 games in 2005-2006.
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