New York Rangers Mount Rushmore

Happy Birthday, America!

On this very date back in 1776, the United States became a country by claiming its independence much to the chagrin of Britain. Flash forward 240 years, here we are, about to embark on a day of friends, family, barbecues, corn hole and the like thanks to our founding fathers. Two of those founding fathers have their faces forever sculpted along with other former Presidents Theodore Rosevelt and Abraham Lincoln in Key Stone, South Dakota’s Mount Rushmore.

The former Presidents that are forever carved in Mount Rushmore are considered to be the best, most influential presidents of all time. Naturally, people have started referencing Mount Rushmore in the sports world when talking about the greatest players, teams, and records. This phenomenon has picked up over the last few years.

1. Mark Messier

So going into this whole process, there were two players who, in my opinion, were automatically on my Mount Rangersmore if you will. Messier was the first. Messier only spent 10 seasons with the Rangers spanning over 2 stints, but at the end of the day, he was the guy who captained the 1994 Stanley Cup Champions.

I don’t know what moment from that playoff run is more iconic, his guarantee of a game 6 win in the Eastern Conference Finals or the picture of him when he first was given permission by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to lift Lord Stanley’s Cup. Messier is one of the greatest players to ever lace up their skates in NHL history, and his 691 points in 698 games in a Rangers jersey coupled with his 1994 team’s victory made him a shoe-in for this honor.

2. Brian Leetch

The other shoe-in for Mount Rushmore, Brian Leetch was one of the greatest American-born players–and perhaps the undisputed greatest American-born defenseman–in NHL history, let alone Rangers history. Leetch was a Calder Trophy winner for being the NHL’s best rookie in 1988-1989 while scoring 71 points that season. Leetch also won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the 1994 playoffs, culminating with a New York Rangers Stanley Cup Championship. Leetch was a lethal offensive weapon in the league for a long time, before slowing down due to injuries later on in his career. Leetch would’ve been a career Ranger had he not been traded to his childhood team, the Boston Bruins in 2004. Leetch finished his Rangers career with 1,028 points in 1,205 games.

3. Mike Richter

This is where it started to get a bit tricky. I felt like with the rich history of goaltending that this organization has had throughout the years, it was only right if one goalie made the cut, and who better to have his head carved into a mountain than Mike Richter?

Richter, of course, like the other two legends who will be sculpted on New York Rangers’ Mount Rushmore, Richter won the Cup with the team in 1994. Richter had a ton of injuries in his career, which was a huge factor in his decision to retire at the tender age of 36. Richter held the team record in wins with 301 until current New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist passed that number in the 2014-2015 season. Richter played his entire career in a Rangers uniform and was always fantastic in playoff competition. It is hard to top a guy like him. Maybe Henrik Lundqvist will take Richter’s spot someday, but as of right now, that all-time great Rangers goalie slot goes to Mike Richter.

4. Rod Gilbert

Gilbert exemplified everything that a New York Rangers player should be. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was a multi-faceted stud who did everything he could to make his team a success. Gilbert played 16 seasons with the Rangers, scoring over 70 points all but 2 years where he played 70+ games. Gilbert was the first player who’s number was retired by the New York Rangers organization. Nobody will every darn that number 7 again, and for good reason.

Even now, 38 years after he retired from the game of hockey, the Hall of Famer Gilbert is still a big part of the Rangers organization. You can always find him at the Garden whether it is October or May–or in one case in the past few seasons, June. Gilbert also does a fantastic job with the “Garden of Dreams” foundation. If there was a Mr. New York Ranger, it would have to be Gilbert.

Honorable Mentions: Adam Graves, Eddie Giacomin, Andy Bathgate, Henrik Lundqvist.

Now enough of my take. Last night on Twitter, we asked our followers who they would have on their New York Rangers Mount Rushmore, and this is what they had to say:

Firstly, we had a couple people who switched goalies on me

Messier-Leetch-Lundqvist-Gilbert
— john (@donjundon29) July 4, 2016

Then we had the Harry Howell supporters

And then the people who took the opportunity to be wise guys:

Next: New York Rangers Made Good Choices on a Crazy July 1st

That’s our New York Rangers Mount Rushmore, what’s yours?

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