The Hockey Hall of Fame inducted four new members this week, welcoming a few guys who had a huge impact on the game today. Eric Lindros, Sergei Makarov, Pat Quinn and Rogie Vachon were inducted yesterday, all of whom had some wait before getting in. While the line to the Hall keeps getting longer and longer with more guys who should definitely end their career with the great honor, there are two ex-Rangers in particular who deserve the honor within the coming years, and with Lindros finally getting to hear his name called, it looks like we’re nearing the time to see the other two enter the Hall.
The Big E Finally Gets In
Rangers alumnus Eric Lindros was finally inducted into the Hall Of Fame after a career of brilliance. Lindros had 66 goals and 92 assists in 192 games with the Rangers from 2001-04. While Lindros was fading out of his prime, he still managed to lead the team in points in the 2001-02 season and then come second in points being Petr Nedved the following season.
Lindros is most remembered for being a pain in the side of the Rangers for the years he was in Philadelphia, he was a bright spot during some of the down years before Tom Renney took over as coach. Over his 760 game career, he compiled 372 goals and 493 assists while being a seven time All-Star, one time Olympic gold medalist, one time Olympic silver medalist, two time World Junior Championship gold medalist, adding the Hockey Hall of Fame to his already illustrious career.
Vanbiesbrouck Playing the Waiting Game
John Vanbiesbrouck was not as lucky as Lindros this year, being passed over again in what seems to be a common occurrence for one of the greatest American born goalies to ever play the game. After winning the Vezina Trophy for the goalie who was chosen as the best at his position at the young age of 22, Vanbiesbrouck would play seven more seasons with the Rangers in which he would finish top six in the Vezina voting four times.
He would move on to be in the top seven of the Vezina voting four more times along with a second All Star appearance, eventually ending his career with a .899 save percentage and a 2.98 goals against average. He retired with 374 wins, placing him with the 14th most of anyone to ever play in the National Hockey League.
Richter Hunt for the Hall Continues
Another legendary Rangers goalie who isn’t in the Hall just yet is Mike Richter. Richter played 666 games over 14 seasons, compiling 33 shutouts, including nine of which were in the playoffs. Along with the shutouts, Richter put up a 2.07 goals against average and a .921 save percentage over 23 games to win the Stanley Cup in 1994.
Richter is another legendary American-born goaltender who was a three time All-Star who compiled 301 wins, as well as being a gold medal winner at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, silver medal winner at the 2002 Olympics, along with being a U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member. Richter is known for making one of the legendary saves in Stanley Cup history in a pivotal Game 4 matchup between the Rangers and the Canucks in the 1994 Stanley Cup, which is embedded below for viewing pleasure.
All in all, congratulations to Eric Lindros on the greatest honor a player can receive. We hope to see a few more Rangers legends added in the upcoming years. The wait may be long, but the everlasting memory of being inducted in will make the wait seem worthwhile.