Mike Richter
Mike Richter | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born |
Abington, Pennsylvania,U.S. | September 22, 1966||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Goaltender | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Caught | Left | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Played for | New York Rangers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
National team | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NHL draft |
28th overall,1985 New York Rangers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 1989–2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Michael Thomas Richter(born September 22, 1966) is an American former professionalice hockeygoaltender.He played his entireNational Hockey Leaguecareer, from 1989 to 2002, with theNew York Rangersorganization, and led the team to theStanley Cupin1994.He also represented theUnited Statesin international play on several occasions. Richter was named to theU.S. Hockey Hall of Fame,alongside his former Rangers and U.S. teammateBrian Leetch,in 2008.
Playing career
[edit]Richter grew up inFlourtown, Pennsylvania,nearPhiladelphia,and idolizedPhiladelphia FlyersgoaltenderBernie Parent.He attended and played forGermantown AcademyinFort Washington, Pennsylvania,and thenNorthwood SchoolinLake Placid, New York,graduating in 1985. He also played at theWissahickon Skating Club.After playing for the United States in theWorld Junior Championshipsin1985,Richter played for theUniversity of Wisconsin–Madisonfrom 1985 to 1987, and the Rangers made him the 28th overall pick in the1985 NHL Entry Draft.He again represented the US in the1986 World Junior Championships,as well as theWorld Championshipsand the1988 Winter OlympicsinCalgary,before making his NHL debut in the1989 playoffs.Though he lost the one game in which he played, he was soon a regular member of the Rangers, posting 12 wins against 5 losses in his rookie season as the club'sbackup goaltender.Over the next two seasons, Richter split goaltending duties with the Rangers' veteran starter,John Vanbiesbrouck,and was selected to play for the U.S. in the1991 Canada Cuptournament.
Vanbiesbrouck was traded to the Vancouver Canucks[1]prior to being selected by the Florida Panthers in the 1993-94 NHL expansion draft. Richter then had his first campaign as the team's number one goaltender. He posted a career best 42 wins and 2.57 goals against average as the Rangers won thePresidents' Trophyas the league's top regular season team for the second time in three years. He was also named Most Valuable Player of theNHL All-Star Game,which the Rangers hosted atMadison Square Garden.In the playoffs, he ramped up his play, becoming the eighth goaltender to post four shutouts in one playoff season. The Rangers reached theStanley Cup Finalsagainst the Canucks, and Richter earned a career highlight in Game 4, famously stopping Vancouver sniperPavel Bureon a penalty shot. The Rangers defeated the Canucks in seven games to win their first Stanley Cupsince 1940.
Over the next few years, Richter would be consistently ranked among the world's top goaltenders. He led the United States to victory in the1996 World Cup of Hockey,with his efforts earning him tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Injuries plagued much of his career, including MCL sprains, ACL sprains, and concussions.
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 saves using his focus, flexibility, and athleticism. Longtime teammate and Hall of Fame Ranger defensemanBrian Leetchonce said 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."[2]
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 the1998and2002 Olympics,winning a silver medal in the 2002 Games.
Richter was selected by theNashville Predatorsin the1998 NHL Expansion Draft,but as a UFA chose to eventually return to the Rangers that summer.
On June 30, 2002, Richter's rights were traded to theEdmonton Oilersin exchange for future considerations.[3]The Oilers were unable to sign Richter, and he returned to the Rangers on a new contract a few days later on July 4.[3]A year later a skull fracture and concussion forced him to retire, but not until after he became the first Ranger to record300 wins.He finished his career as the Rangers all-time leader in wins, later surpassed byHenrik Lundqvist.
Richter's jersey (#35) became the third number retired by the Rangers atMadison Square Gardenon 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.
Post-retirement
[edit]Richter is currently the President ofBrightcore Energy,a provider of end-to-end clean energy solutions to the commercial and institutional market, including, high-efficiency renewable heating and cooling (geothermal), commercial and community solar, LED lighting and controls, electric vehicle (EV) charging, battery storage, smart building solutions and other emerging technologies.[4]He is also aleader in arena of sustainability.
In 2007 and 2009, Richter stated that he would be interested in running for Congress as a Democrat in eitherConnecticut's 4th congressional districtorNew York's 20th congressional district special election, 2009.[5]
After retiring from the NHL, Richter enrolled inYale University,entering through the highly competitiveEli Whitney Students Program,Yale College's admissions program for non-traditional students.[6]He received his degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics with a concentration in Environmental Policy (EP&E).
He was previously a founding partner at Healthy Planet Partners, a sustainable power finance and consulting group, and Environmental Capital Partners, a $100 millionprivate equityfund focusing on resource efficiency.[7]Richter serves on the board of directors forRiverkeeper,the Board of Trustees for the AdirondackNature Conservancy,and sits as a member of the National Advisory Council for theSierra Club.[8]He recently began collaborating with theNatural Resources Defense Council(NRDC) in their effort to bring the best ecological practices to the sports industry. He also launched Athletes for a Healthy Planet, an organization dedicated to fostering an understanding of the connections between environmental issues, human health, economy, social justice, and well-being.[9]
He is the chairman of theAspen Institute's Sport and Society Program dedicated to improving the quality and quantity of athletic participation in society, as well as the NHL Ambassador toBeyond Sport,an NGO chaired byTony Blair,whose mission is to use the power of sport to promote social change. He is a member of the 2010 class of Aspen Institute Catto Environmental Fellows. On December 12, 2012, he participated in the 12–12–12 concert benefit, answering calls from viewers wishing to donate to victims ofHurricane Sandy.
During the 2013-14 hockey season, Let's Play Hockey newspaper and theHerb BrooksFoundation announced the creation of theMike Richter Awardto annually honor the most outstanding goaltender in NCAA men's hockey. The inaugural award was presented toConnor Hellebuyckof UMass Lowell at the 2014 NCAA Men's Frozen Four in Philadelphia.
Richter is scheduled to play in aUN Environment Programme-sponsored hockey game planned to be held near the North Pole.[10]The idea for the game was conceived by Russian hockey legendViacheslav Fetisov,and is intended to raise awareness of receding ice in polar regions due toclimate change.
Richter has three sons, all of whom grew up playing ice hockey in their hometown of Greenwich, Connecticut.[11]
Career statistics
[edit]Regular season and playoffs
[edit]Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
1982–83 | Germantown Academy | HS-PA | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1983–84 | Philadelphia Jr. Flyers | NEJHL | 36 | 23 | 10 | 3 | 2160 | 94 | — | 2.61 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1984–85 | Northwood School | HS-Prep | 18 | — | — | — | 1374 | 52 | 2 | 2.27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1985–86 | University of Wisconsin | WCHA | 24 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 1394 | 92 | 0 | 3.96 | .886 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1986–87 | University of Wisconsin | WCHA | 36 | 19 | 16 | 1 | 2136 | 126 | 0 | 3.54 | .901 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1987–88 | United States National Team | Intl | 29 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 1559 | 86 | — | 3.31 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1987–88 | Colorado Rangers | IHL | 22 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 1298 | 68 | 0 | 3.14 | .902 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 536 | 35 | 0 | 3.92 | — | ||
1988–89 | Denver Rangers | IHL | 57 | 23 | 26 | 0 | 3031 | 217 | 1 | 4.30 | — | 4 | 0 | 4 | 210 | 21 | 0 | 6.00 | — | ||
1988–89 | New York Rangers | NHL | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 58 | 4 | 0 | 4.14 | .867 | ||
1989–90 | New York Rangers | NHL | 23 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 1320 | 66 | 0 | 3.00 | .904 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 330 | 19 | 0 | 3.45 | .896 | ||
1989–90 | Flint Spirits | IHL | 13 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 782 | 49 | 0 | 3.76 | .900 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1990–91 | New York Rangers | NHL | 45 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 2596 | 135 | 0 | 3.12 | .903 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 313 | 14 | 1 | 2.68 | .923 | ||
1991–92 | New York Rangers | NHL | 41 | 23 | 12 | 2 | 2298 | 119 | 3 | 3.11 | .901 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 412 | 24 | 1 | 3.50 | .894 | ||
1992–93 | New York Rangers | NHL | 38 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 2105 | 134 | 1 | 3.82 | .886 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1992–93 | Binghamton Rangers | AHL | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 305 | 6 | 0 | 1.18 | .964 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1993–94 | New York Rangers | NHL | 68 | 42 | 12 | 6 | 3710 | 159 | 5 | 2.57 | .910 | 23 | 16 | 7 | 1417 | 49 | 4 | 2.07 | .921 | ||
1994–95 | New York Rangers | NHL | 35 | 14 | 17 | 2 | 1993 | 97 | 2 | 2.92 | .890 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 384 | 23 | 0 | 3.59 | .878 | ||
1995–96 | New York Rangers | NHL | 41 | 24 | 13 | 3 | 2396 | 107 | 3 | 2.68 | .912 | 11 | 5 | 6 | 662 | 36 | 0 | 3.26 | .883 | ||
1996–97 | New York Rangers | NHL | 61 | 33 | 22 | 6 | 3598 | 161 | 4 | 2.68 | .917 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 939 | 33 | 3 | 2.11 | .932 | ||
1997–98 | New York Rangers | NHL | 72 | 21 | 31 | 15 | 4143 | 184 | 0 | 2.66 | .903 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1998–99 | New York Rangers | NHL | 68 | 27 | 30 | 8 | 3878 | 170 | 4 | 2.63 | .910 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
1999–00 | New York Rangers | NHL | 61 | 22 | 31 | 8 | 3622 | 173 | 0 | 2.87 | .905 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2000–01 | New York Rangers | NHL | 45 | 20 | 21 | 3 | 2635 | 144 | 0 | 3.28 | .893 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2001–02 | New York Rangers | NHL | 55 | 24 | 26 | 4 | 3195 | 157 | 2 | 2.95 | .906 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
2002–03 | New York Rangers | NHL | 13 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 694 | 34 | 0 | 2.94 | .897 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
NHL totals | 666 | 301 | 258 | 73 | 38,183 | 1,840 | 24 | 2.89 | .904 | 76 | 41 | 33 | 4,515 | 202 | 9 | 2.68 | .909 |
International
[edit]Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1985 | United States | WJC | 3 | — | — | — | 43 | 6 | 0 | 8.37 | — | |
1986 | United States | WJC | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 208 | 9 | 0 | 2.60 | — | |
1986 | United States | WC | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 53 | 5 | 0 | 5.66 | — | |
1987 | United States | WC | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 80 | 8 | 0 | 6.00 | — | |
1988 | United States | OLY | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 230 | 15 | 0 | 3.91 | .802 | |
1991 | United States | CC | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 420 | 22 | 0 | 3.14 | .904 | |
1993 | United States | WC | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 237 | 13 | 0 | 3.29 | — | |
1996 | United States | WCH | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 371 | 15 | 0 | 2.43 | .923 | |
1998 | United States | OLY | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 237 | 14 | 0 | 3.54 | .849 | |
2002 | United States | OLY | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 240 | 9 | 1 | 2.25 | .932 | |
Junior totals | 7 | — | — | — | 251 | 15 | 0 | 3.59 | — | |||
Senior totals | 32 | 14 | 15 | 3 | 1868 | 101 | 1 | 3.24 | — |
Awards and honors
[edit]Award | Year | |
---|---|---|
All-WCHASecond Team | 1986–87 | [12] |
- NHL All-Star Game:1992 NHL All-Star Game,1994 NHL All-Star Game(MVP),2000 NHL All-Star Game
- Stanley Cupchampion:1994
- Won gold medal at1996 World Cup of Hockey(MVP)
- Won silver medal at2002 Winter Olympics
- Number 35 jersey retired by the New York Rangers in 2004
- Inducted into theU.S. Hockey Hall of Famein 2008
- Received the 2009Lester Patrick AwardalongsideMark MessierandJim Devellano
- In the 2009 book100 Ranger Greats,ranked No. 3 all-time of the901 New York Rangers(and ranked highest of the 74 who were goaltenders) who had played during the team's first82 seasons[13]
- Inducted into thePhiladelphia Sports Hall of Famein 2014
Rangers' team awards
[edit]- 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" (1988)[14]
- Player's Player Award (1991, 2000)
- Team Rookie of the Year (1991)
- Team MVP (2000, 2002)
Rangers' team records
[edit]- Single season wins: 42 (1993–94)
References
[edit]- ^"John Vanbiesbrouck trades - NHL Trade Tracker".nhltradetracker.RetrievedApril 28,2018.
- ^Andrew Graziano (August 11, 2013)."Top 10 List: #3 Mike Richter".Blue Line Station.RetrievedMay 27,2020.
- ^ab"Offseason NHL transactions".CBC Sports.October 2, 2002.RetrievedJanuary 22,2022.
- ^"This hockey legend is making buildings more energy-efficient".Canary Media.October 19, 2023.RetrievedOctober 20,2023.
- ^"Ex-Ranger Mike Richter considers run for Congress - USATODAY".
- ^Yale Herald,Special programs welcome grown-up students to YaleArchived2006-12-31 at theWayback Machine
- ^Healthy Planet Partners,Healthy Planet Partners TeamArchived2013-01-25 atarchive.today
- ^Healthy Planet Partners,Former NHL Goalie Joins Sierra Club Board of Directors
- ^Healthy Planet Partners,Pro Athletes Visit Gulf Oil Spill
- ^Kennedy, Sarah (December 6, 2019)."Hockey players are planning a game at the North Pole".Yale Climate Connections.RetrievedDecember 8,2019.
- ^Branch, John (February 27, 2015)."Brain Injury Awareness Improving, Richter Says".New York Times.RetrievedDecember 12,2017.
- ^"WCHA All-Teams".College Hockey Historical Archives.RetrievedMay 19,2013.
- ^Cohen, Russ; Halligan, John; Raider, Adam (2009).100 Ranger Greats: Superstars, Unsung Heroes and Colorful Characters.John Wiley & Sons.p. 220.ISBN978-0470736197.RetrievedFebruary 3,2020.
- ^"New York Rangers - Rangers Records".
External links
[edit]- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orEurohockey,orHockey-Reference,orThe Internet Hockey Database
- Mike Richter at the United States Olympic Teamat theWayback Machine(archived May 28, 2006)
- Mike RichteratOlympedia
- Mike RichteratOlympics
- Mike RichteronCharlie Rose
- 1966 births
- Living people
- American athlete-politicians
- American men's ice hockey goaltenders
- Binghamton Rangers players
- Colorado Rangers players
- Denver Rangers players
- Germantown Academy alumni
- Ice hockey players from Pennsylvania
- Ice hockey players at the 1988 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 1998 Winter Olympics
- Ice hockey players at the 2002 Winter Olympics
- Lester Patrick Trophy recipients
- Medalists at the 2002 Winter Olympics
- National Hockey League All-Stars
- National Hockey League players with retired numbers
- New York (state) Democrats
- New York Rangers draft picks
- New York Rangers players
- Olympic silver medalists for the United States in ice hockey
- People from Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Sierra Club people
- Sportspeople from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
- Stanley Cup champions
- United States Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
- Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey players
- Yale University alumni
- 21st-century American sportsmen