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Born	September 22, 1966 (1966-09-22) (age 43), Abington, PA, U.S.
Height Weight	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Catches	Left
Pro clubs	New York Rangers
Ntl. team	United States
NHL Draft	28th overall, 1985 New York Rangers
Playing career	1989 – 2003

Michael Thomas Richter (born September 22, 1966 in Abington, Pennsylvania) is a former National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender. One of the most successful American-born goaltenders in history, he is best known for having led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup title in 1994 and for repeatedly representing the United States in international play. Due to his success, Richter is a part of the Class of 2008 in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, alongside his former Rangers teammate Brian Leetch.

Playing career

Richter grew up in Flourtown, Pa. near Philadelphia idolizing Philadelphia Flyers goalie Bernie Parent. He attended and played for Germantown Academy in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, and then Northwood School in Lake Pacid, N.Y. when he graduated in 1985. He also played at the Wissahickon Skating Club. After playing for the United States in the World Junior championships in 1985, he played for the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1985–1987, and the Rangers made him the 28th overall pick in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft. He would again represent the US in the World Junior championships, World championships, and the 1988 Calgary Olympics before making his NHL debut in the 1989 playoffs. Though he lost the one game in which he played, he was soon a regular member of the club, posting 12 wins against 5 losses in his rookie season as the Rangers' backup goaltender. The next two seasons, he would split playing time with the Rangers' veteran goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, he was selected to represent the U.S. in the Canada Cup.

Vanbiesbrouck was traded before the 1993–94 season and Richter had his first season as the team's number one goaltender, posting a career-best 42 wins and 2.57 goals-against average as the Rangers won the Presidents' Trophy. His play was a key factor in the Rangers' Stanley Cup championship win over the Vancouver Canucks. His play throughout the entire post season led the Rangers to the Stanley Cup; which included his career highlight: stopping Vancouver sniper Pavel Bure on a penalty shot in Game 4 of the finals. During the season, Richter was named MVP of the All-Star Game. He became the eighth goaltender in history to post four shutouts in one playoff season, and over the next few years he would consistently be ranked among the world's top goaltenders. He led the United States to victory in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, with his efforts earning him Most Valuable Player honors. Injuries plagued much of his career with everything from MCL sprains, ACL sprains and concussions. At some points the occurred together, but he worked hard to rehabilitate his injuries to always make the return to the ice.

Richter's style of play was very acrobatic and quick. For a small goalie he made himself look big by using his lightning quick reflexes to make saves. He was rarely out of position and always square to his shooters. He was known for making plenty of desperation and sometimes unbelievable saves using his focus, flexibility, and athleticism. Long time teammate and Hall of Fame Ranger defenseman Brian Leetch once said this about Richter:

" I have never seen anyone more focused than he was. As the game got tougher, he got better. If a goal was ever scored on him I was always surprised."

His last appearance in the Stanley Cup playoffs would be 1997, as a series of knee injuries and a string of mediocre Ranger teams saw his personal statistics suffer. Nevertheless, he was selected as the top goalie for Team USA in the 1998 and 2002 Olympics, winning a silver medal in the 2002 Games. A year later a skull fracture and concussion forced him to retire, but not until after he became the first Ranger to record 300 wins. He finished his career as the Rangers all time leader in wins.

Post-retirement

His jersey (#35) became the third number retired by the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 4, 2004. Though he played his entire career for the Rangers, he twice changed teams between seasons due to a quirk in the NHL rules of free agency, returning to the Rangers each time. Upon his retirement and having played his entire career in New York, the Rangers posted the quote of "Once a Ranger Always a Ranger" from everything to posters, websites, bill boards and arenas. The phrase is still seen all over the place in and near Madison Square Garden.

Mike Richter returned to college in 2004, graduating in 2008 from Yale University. He majored in Ethics, Politics & Economics (EP&E). Richter entered Yale through the Eli Whitney Students Program.^[1] His acceptance was notable since Yale admits very few older students into the College through the program and admission is therefore very competitive. Richter also volunteers as a coach for Yale's men's hockey team coaching alongside head Keith Allain. Allain was an assistant coach for Team USA in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.^[2]

In 2007 the Rothenberg Political Report reported Richter, who lives in Guilford, Connecticut, was considering running for U.S. Congress under Connecticut's 4th congressional district in 2008 as a Democrat. However, on March 23, 2007, he stated that he would not run,^[3] despite still expressing interest in seeking public office one day.

Richter competed in the Ironman Triathlon at Lake Placid on July 22, 2007. The triathlon involves a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. He completed the grueling race in 12 hours 49 minutes 10 seconds.

On November 4, 2007 Richter ran in his first New York City Marathon finishing with a time of 3:54:35.^[4]

Career statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Career highlights

• Named to 1992 NHL All-Star team
• Named to 1994 NHL All-Star team - Awarded Most Valuable Player
• Won 1994 Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers
• Won gold medal at 1996 World Cup of Hockey - Awarded Most Valuable Player
• Named to 2000 NHL All-Star team
• Won silver medal at 2002 Winter Olympics
• Enshrined into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
• Received the 2009 Lester Patrick Award alongside Mark Messier and Jim Devellano.
• Ranked No. 3 on the all-time list of New York Rangers in the book 100 Ranger Greats (John Wiley & Sons, 2009).

Records

• NYR Club Record, Games Played, Career: 666
• NYR Club Record, Wins, Career: 301
• NYR Club Record, Games Played, Single Season: 72 (1997–98)
• NYR Club Record, Wins, Single Season: 42 (1993–94)
• NYR Club Record, Save Percentage, Single Season: .917 (1996–97)

NY Rangers team awards

• Crumb Bum Award - "For service to New York youngsters" (1997)
• Frank Boucher Trophy - "Most popular player on and off the ice" (1991, 1999, 2000, 2002)
• Good Guy Award - "For cooperation with the media" (1991)
• Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award - "Best rookie of training camp" (1991)
• Player's Player Award (1991, 2000)
• Team Rookie of the Year (1991)
• Team MVP (2000, 2002)

References

External links

• Mike Richter's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Mike's U.S. Olympic Team bio
• hockeygoalies.org bio