The NY Rangers’ Cup-winning season of 1994 is a long time away, but the memories are still sweet.
Mark Messier, who led the New York Rangers in 1994 to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years, had his No. 11 jersey retired on Thursday in an emotional celebration at Madison Square Garden.
Surrounded by many of his teammates from that Stanley Cup winning team, members of his family and the Cup itself, Messier watched as his No. 11 banner was slowly lifted to the rafters to the strains of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy.”
His was the fourth jersey ever retired by the Rangers, joining Rod Gilbert (No. 7), Eddie Giacomin (No. 1) and Mike Richter (No. 35), the goalie on the ’94 championship team.
I’m lucky enough to have seen all 4 of those excellent players at The Garden. I wonder who will be the next Ranger to join their company.