When writing this post, I found it difficult to select one final Rangers legend, as this will be the last post discussing specific Rangers legends. However, I feel that our journey through the history of Rangers greats would be incomplete without this star defenseman – Brian Leetch. Brain Leetch was an incredible defenseman for the Rangers from 1987-2004, who is credited for his skating and playmaking talents. His longtime teammate and friend Mark Messier referred to him as the “Greatest Ranger of All Time,” let’s take a look as to why that may be!
Brian Leetch was born on March 3, 1968, in Corpus Christi, Texas, moved to Cheshire, Connecticut when he was 3 months old. He began playing hockey at the local ice rink managed by his father and excelled at a young age. For a brief time, Leetch played baseball and was quite good as well, yet hockey was where his real talent lied. In high school, Leetch had scored 70 goals in only 54 games, which were remarkable statistics for a defenseman. These stats helped him earn the attention of NHL scouts and team organizations. Leetch was drafted in the first round of the 1986 draft by the Rangers. However, he played at Boston College before joining the NHL as the first player drafted without playing major junior hockey. 1988 was a huge year for Leetch, as he played for the US Olympic team at the Olympic Games in Calgary and made his NHL debut just 8 days after.
From the moment Leetch joined the Rangers, his teammates, coaches and fans alike knew he was going to bring something special to the organization. His first season with the Rangers lasted only 17 games, yet he recorded 14 points already. The 1988-1989 season was his first full season in the NHL, where he recorded 71 points. Leetch had broken the rookie defenseman record with 23 goals in a season. He had also won the Calder Memorial Trophy and was selected to the NHL All Rookie team. In 1992, Leetch became the 5thdefenseman in history and the only American defenseman to record 100 points in a season. He is also the last defenseman in the NHL’s history to do so. Unfortunately, Leetch broke his ankle in 1993 and was out for an entire season. The Rangers fell into a slump quickly after, which only proves how essential he was to the team’s success. After Leetch’s return, the Rangers had one of their best seasons – ending in a Stanley Cup victory. Leetch had scored his career high in goals with 23 goals in a season and wont the Conn Smythe Trophy (the only American to do so until 2011). After the departure of his teammate Mark Messier, Leetch was named captain from the 1997-2000 season. Leetch was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2004. Fans of the Rangers and Leetch were heartbroken over this deal and Leetch himself said he would have preferred to spend his entire career with the Rangers. He was later traded to the Boston Bruins in 2005 and finally in 2006, despite receiving offers from practically every team in the league, Leetch decided to retire. He ended his career with great successes and is still widely considered one of the best defensemen in NHL history.
Let’s take a look at Brian Leetch’s incredible achievements and awards – I guarantee you’ll be impressed!
- Calder Memorial Trophy: 1989
- NHL All Rookie Team: 1989
- NHL All Star Game: 1990-1992, 1994, 1996-1998, 2001-2002
- Norris Memorial Trophy: 1992, 1997
- Conn Smythe Trophy: 1994
- Stanley Cup Champion: 1994
- Gold Medal at the World Cup of Hockey: 1996
- Number retired by Rangers organization: 2008
- Inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame: 2009
After his retirement from the NHL, Brian Leetch had his number retired by the Rangers organization in 2008. He had a few short jobs within the NHL and the Rangers organization as well. In 2015, he became the manager of player safety for the NHL for one year and in 2017, he was hired to work with the Rangers organization in the hockey operations department until 2021. There is no doubt Leetch was an incredible defenseman, as he does hold over 40 records in Rangers history, but the fans in New York truly admired his character and love for the team. He always carried himself in a respectable manner and put his team first. Brian Leetch’s legacy and talent will always remain in the hearts and minds of Rangers fans, both young and old, for a lifetime.
It seems like Leetch had a huge impact on the Rangers. It’s easy to see how his broken ankle destroyed their season in 1993 only to reach a Stanley Cup victory the very next season when he gets healthy. It’s impressive that one man had such an effect on a team sport.
Wow, yet another Ranger hero that I’ve never even heard about! I find it amazing that he was able to have so many goals every season despite being a defenseman. His extensive list of awards and trophies are strong evidence of just how crucial he was to the Rangers’ success. After reading many of your blog posts throughout this semester, I’ve been left wondering who will be the next Rangers superstar? I suppose only time will tell. Best of luck to the Rangers in the future!