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New York Rangers: Where do Ranger goalies rank in the top 100?

BySteve Paulus|
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Henrik Lundqvist (30) of the New York Rangers makes a stunning glove save during a game between the New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks on October 11, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 11: Henrik Lundqvist (30) of the New York Rangers makes a stunning glove save during a game between the New York Rangers and the San Jose Sharks on October 11, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. (Photo by John McCreary/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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11 JUN 1994: CANUCKS GOALTENDER KIRK MCLEAN REACTS TOO LATE TO STOP A SHOT BY THE RANGER”S ALEXEI KOVALEV AS RANGER BRIAN LEETCH, AT LEFT, LOOKS ON IN THE SECOND PERIOD OF GAME SIX OF THE STANLEY CUP FINALS IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE GOAL CUT THE
11 JUN 1994: CANUCKS GOALTENDER KIRK MCLEAN REACTS TOO LATE TO STOP A SHOT BY THE RANGER”S ALEXEI KOVALEV AS RANGER BRIAN LEETCH, AT LEFT, LOOKS ON IN THE SECOND PERIOD OF GAME SIX OF THE STANLEY CUP FINALS IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE GOAL CUT THE

#50-100  An odd assortment of goalies

After the top 49 there are five former Ranger goalies in the top 100.  None of them had distinguished careers in New York as they all made the list for work done elsewhere.

#50 – John Ross Roach – Roach was the first rookie goalie to lead his team (the Toronto St. Patricks) to the Stanley Cup in 1922.  Traded to the Rangers in in 1928 for Lorne Chabot, he played four seasons in New York.  To this day, Roach holds the Ranger season records for lowest GAA (1.41) and  shutouts (13).

# 79 – Jim Henry – Henry, who had his greatest seasons with the Boston Bruins, began his career as a Ranger with 29 wins in 1941-42.  World War II got in the way of his career as he spent three years in the military and never regained his rookie form with the Rangers. In 1948 he was traded to Chicago for Emile Francis.

# 82 – Kirk McLean – To Ranger fans, Kirk McLean is much better known as the Canucks goalie who almost prevented the Blueshirts from winning the Stanley Cup in 1994.  Most do not remember that he ended his career on Broadway, played 45 games and notching 15 wins from 1999-2001.

#86 – Cesare Maniago – Maniago was one of the prime beneficiaries of expansion as he was claimed from the Rangers by the Minnesota North Stars. He went on to play nine seasons as their top goaltender. Prior to expansion he played two season with the Rangers as a backup to Ed Giacomin, getting into 34 games

#94 – Guy Hebert – Like Kirk McLean, Hebert made his name elsewhere and ended his career in New York in 2001.   A star goalie for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Hebert was one of six goaltenders to see action for the Rangers that season. Who were the others would make a great trivia question.  They answer?  Kirk McLean, Jason LaBarbera, Johan Holmqvist, Vitali Yeremeyev and Mike Richter.

Looking ahead

The New York Rangers are well represented in the list of top 100 goaltenders.  Who’s the next Ranger to crack the top 100?  Could it be Igor Shestyorkin or Alexandar Georgiev?  Ranger fans can only hope.

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