Thanks for the memories, Henrik Lundqvist

This marks the end of a golden era for the New York Rangers.

After reports emerged on Tuesday that suggested the end was nigh, the New York Rangers announced Wednesday that they had bought out the final year of Henrik Lundqvist‘s contract.

It means that a glorious, 15-year marriage is finally over and, while the divorce will be peaceful, it doesn’t make it any less painful for those of us who adored No. 30.

Which is every single Rangers fan.

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Of course, talk will now focus on Lundqvist’s next move with the future Hall of Famer an unrestricted free agent and free to carefully select from a crop of contenders that will be lucky to have him.

Retirement could be an option also but you have to think that, if presented with one final opportunity to push for a Stanley Cup, Lundqvist will go for it.

The Tampa Bay Lightning anyone?

But, all jokes aside, this isn’t an article designed to dissect the business side of this news, we did that here.

No, instead it is only right we reflect on what will go down as a Hall of Fame career by a player who will forever be regarded as one of the all-time netminders in the rich history of this storied franchise.

The heartfelt tributes have already started to flood in, and Lundqvist himself has taken to social media to bid a fond goodbye to those who wore his jersey, chanted his name and simply adored him.

Those tributes will continue to pour in over the coming days and there aren’t enough superlatives out there to translate just what Lundqvist meant, means and will always mean to this organization and to the city of New York.

And I wanted to share some of my own personal memories of The King, too.

As those who have been so kind to read some of my previous stuff will know, I’m not a New Yorker by birthright but The Big Apple feels like home.

And the New York Rangers are my team.

Therefore, like most of you, Henrik Lundqvist automatically became one of my favorite Blueshirts once I pledged my allegiance to the Rangers.

From that magical run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 to the countless occasions he threw this team on his back and dragged them over the finish line, I fell in love with Lundqvist.

Full bloom love.

He just oozed class on the ice and had ice in his veins to deliver in the big moments when everything was on the line.

Not to mention that he was an absolute god off the ice too in those pristine, designer suits. Or, as the kids say, an absolute man rocket.

I remember being in New York back in March 2018 with my primary aim being to catch as many Rangers games as possible.

Already having tickets for a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, you can imagine my dismay when it was Alexandar Georgiev starting in goal rather than Lundqvist.

Nothing against Georgiev, of course.

But I was absolutely devastated to have missed out on the chance to see my absolute idol in action, so I decided to spend over the dollar for tickets to the next game just so I could see Lundqvist doing what he did best.

It was worth every cent.

I’ve been lucky enough to have seen Lundqvist play live a few times since, and I’ll cherish those memories forever.

He was truly a master of his craft and what he did for this franchise should never, ever be forgotten.

There is no doubt that Lundqvist’ No. 30 jersey will hang from those famous Madison Square Garden rafters one day, and it will be fitting if he eventually takes up a role of some kind with the organization eventually.

After all, Lundqvist wasn’t just a hero on the ice but he also did so much for the Rangers, the city of New York and the National Hockey League off the ice.

He was an incredible ambassador for The Garden of Dreams Foundation, as well as establishing the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation.

He gave hope to so many and inspired many more with his actions both on and off the ice while representing the New York Rangers.

And, it says something when your on-ice achievements span over two pages.

It hasn’t really sunk in that the New York Rangers and Henrik Lundqvist are no more, and it probably won’t for a little while.

We all knew this day was coming because father time waits for no-one and all good things must come to an end.

But those sentiments count for very little on a day like today and, rather than think about what could have been, let’s instead appreciate what Henrik Lundqvist gave us all as New York Rangers fans.

Because he gave us all a hell of a lot of memories and moments that will last forever.

That’s what I’ll be doing today.

Thank you, Henrik Lundqvist, for everything over the years and especially for helping a kid from England fall in love with this brilliant game of ours.

Thank you for giving us hope again after the dark days and for making this franchise a powerhouse once more.

What you did for the New York Rangers will never be forgotten.

You are a true icon and your legacy will live on forever.