Rangers Legends

Nearly a century of hockey on Broadway has produced some of the greatest names the game has ever known. These are the legends who made the New York Rangers what they are today.

Retired Numbers

#11
Mark Messier
Retired January 12, 2006

"The Captain." Messier delivered the guarantee — and the hat trick — that willed the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley Cup, ending 54 years of waiting. The greatest leader in franchise history.

The Rangers have retired nine numbers, hanging in the Garden rafters:

  • #1 — Ed Giacomin (goaltender)
  • #2 — Brian Leetch (defenseman)
  • #3 — Harry Howell (defenseman)
  • #7 — Rod Gilbert (right wing)
  • #9 — Andy Bathgate & Adam Graves
  • #11 — Vic Hadfield & Mark Messier
  • #30 — Henrik Lundqvist (goaltender)
  • #35 — Mike Richter (goaltender)
  • #99 — Wayne Gretzky (retired league-wide)

Franchise Icons

Rod Gilbert

7
Right Wing | 1960-1978

"Mr. Ranger." The franchise's original superstar and the first Ranger to have his number retired. The centerpiece of the GAG Line, Gilbert remains one of the most beloved figures in team history and the club's all-time leading scorer for decades.

406Goals
1,021Points
HOF1982
#7Retired

Brian Leetch

2
Defenseman | 1987-2004

The greatest defenseman in franchise history and the first American-born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, earned during the 1994 Cup run. A two-time Norris Trophy winner whose smooth skating and puck-moving defined an era on the Broadway blue line.

1994Conn Smythe
2xNorris
981Points
HOF2009

Mike Richter

35
Goaltender | 1989-2003

The backbone of the 1994 champions. Richter's Game 7 heroics — including a legendary penalty-shot save on Pavel Bure in the Final — made him a Garden icon. The franchise's winningest goaltender until Lundqvist.

301Wins
24Shutouts
1994Champion
#35Retired

Henrik Lundqvist

30
Goaltender | 2005-2020

"King Henrik." The franchise's all-time wins leader and a 2012 Vezina Trophy winner who carried the Rangers to the 2014 Stanley Cup Final. One of the greatest goaltenders of his generation and a Hockey Hall of Famer.

459Wins
64Shutouts
2012Vezina
HOF2023

Adam Fox

23
Defenseman | 2019-Present (Active)

The Long Island native who came home and became elite. Fox won the Norris Trophy in 2021 in just his second NHL season — the modern engine of the Rangers' blue line and power play.

2021Norris
All-StarMultiple
PP1QB
AAlt. Captain

Other Franchise Greats

Ed Giacomin

Goaltender (1965-1976)

Beloved netminder of the GAG Line era. When he was claimed off waivers, Garden fans famously cheered him against their own team. #1 retired.

Jean Ratelle

Center (1960-1975)

The elegant playmaking center of the GAG Line and a Hall of Famer. One of the classiest players to ever wear the Blueshirt.

Adam Graves

Left Wing (1991-2001)

Set the franchise single-season goals record in 1993-94 and was a heart-and-soul leader on the Cup team. #9 retired.

Andy Bathgate

Right Wing (1952-1964)

A 1959 Hart Trophy winner and one of the premier scorers of his time. His #9 hangs in the rafters alongside Adam Graves.

Harry Howell

Defenseman (1952-1969)

A one-club stalwart who played more games than anyone in franchise history and won the 1967 Norris Trophy. #3 retired.

Vic Hadfield

Left Wing (1961-1974)

The muscle of the GAG Line and the first Ranger to score 50 goals in a season. #11 retired alongside Mark Messier.

The legends who built the Broadway Blueshirts.