Athletes - Mike Richter

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	Athletes - Mike Richter

Michael "Mike" Richter (born September 22, 1966 in Abington, Pennsylvania) is a former NHL goaltender. The most successful American-born goaltender in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play.

After playing for the United States in the World Junior championships in 1985 and for the University of Wisconsin from 1985-1987, the Rangers made him the 28th overall pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He would again represent the US in the World Junior championships, World championships, and the 1988 Calgary Olympics before making his NHL debut in the 1989 playoffs. Though he lost the one game in which he played, he was soon a regular member of the club, posting 12 wins against 5 losses in his rookie season as the Rangers' backup goaltender. The next two seasons he would split playing time with the Rangers' veteran goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck and was selected to represent the US in the Canada Cup.

Vanbiesbrouck was traded before the 1993-94 season and Richter had his first season as the team's number one goaltender, posting a career-best 42 wins and 2.57 goals-against average as the Rangers won the Presidents Trophy. His play was a key factor in the Rangers' Stanley Cup championship win over the Vancouver Canucks, becoming the eighth goaltender in history to post four shutouts in one playoff season, and over the next few years he would consistently be ranked among the world's top goaltenders. He led the United States to victory in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, with his efforts earning him Most Valuable Player honors.

1997 would be his last appearance in the NHL playoffs as a series of knee injuries and a string of mediocre Ranger teams saw his personal statistics suffer. Nevertheless, he was selected as the top goalie for Team USA in the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 2002 Games. A year later a skull fracture and concussion forced him to retire, but not until after he became the first Ranger to record 300 wins.

His jersey (#35) became the third number retired by the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 4 2004, joining Rod Gilbert and Ed Giacomin. Though he played his entire career for the Rangers, he was twice traded between seasons due to a quirk in the NHL rules of free agency.

Mike Richter is currently enrolled as a student at Yale University, where he is also a volunteer coach of the men's hockey team.

Career highlights

Named to 1992 NHL All-Star team
Named to 1994 NHL All-Star team - Awarded Most Valuable Player
Won 1994 Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers
Won gold medal at 1996 World Cup of Hockey - Awarded Most Valuable Player
Named to 2000 NHL All-Star team
Won silver medal at 2002 Winter Olympics
Retired in 2003 due to post-concussion syndrome

Records

NYR Club Record, Games Played, Career: 666
NYR Club Record, Wins, Career: 301
NYR Club Record, Games Played, Single Season: 72 (1997-98)
NYR Club Record, Wins, Single Season: 42 (1993-94)
NYR Club Record, Save Percentage, Single Season: .917 (1996-97)

NY Rangers team awards

Crumb Bum Award - "For service to New York youngsters" (1997)
Frank Boucher Trophy - "Most popular player on and off the ice" (1991, 1999, 2000, 2002)
Good Guy Award - "For cooperation with the media" (1991)
Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award - "Best rookie of training camp" (1991)
Player's Player Award (1991, 2000)
Team Rookie of the Year (1991)
Team MVP (2000, 2002)

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Athletes - Mike Richter

Career highlights

Records

NY Rangers team awards

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