Mike Richter

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United StatesUnited States  Mike Richter Ice hockey player
Mike Richter
Date of birth September 22, 1966
place of birth Abington Township , Pennsylvania , USA
size 180 cm
Weight 86 kg
position goalkeeper
Catch hand Left
Draft
NHL Entry Draft 1985 , 2nd lap, 28th position
New York Rangers
Career stations
1985-1987 University of Wisconsin – Madison
1987-1988 Colorado Rangers
1988-1989 Denver Rangers
1989-2003 New York Rangers

Michael Thomas "Mike" Richter (born September 22, 1966 in Abington Township , Pennsylvania ) is a former American ice hockey goalkeeper who played from 1989 to 2003 for the New York Rangers in the National Hockey League . He is considered one of the most successful American goalkeepers of all time.

Career

Richter's ice hockey career began in 1984 with the Philadelphia Junior Flyers, where he won 23 of 36 games. In 1985 he moved to high school, played for the Northwood Huskies and also played the Junior World Championships in 1985. In the 1985 NHL Entry Draft , the New York Rangers selected him in the second round as 28. His path led him to the University of Wisconsin in whose team he also played ice hockey. Since a successful appearance at the Junior World Cup in 1986, he has also been appointed to the US national ice hockey team. 1987/88 he took part in a tour of the national team in preparation for the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary . After the Olympics, which took a disappointing seventh place, he finished the current season on the farm team, with the Colorado Rangers in the IHL . He stayed there in the 1988/89 season in which the team was now running as Denver Rangers .

From the 1989/90 season he played mostly in the NHL for the New York Rangers . At first he was a substitute for John Vanbiesbrouck , whom he soon overtook. The 1993/94 season was particularly successful for Richter, when he had a large share in winning the Stanley Cup . Also of great importance was the 5-2 win over rivals of the US team, Canada, in the third and decisive final game of the 1996 World Cup of Hockey . Mike Richter was then voted best player of the tournament. Even with the 1998 Olympics in Nagano joined judges for the US, though less successful here - the US has already failed in the quarterfinals to eventual Olympic champion Czech Republic. In February 2001 Richter injured himself so badly that he was out for the rest of the season, but at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City he showed his old form and shone especially in the semi-finals against Russia; In the final against rivals Canada, however, the USA lost. On March 22, 2002 , Richter was hit by a slap shot and suffered a skull fracture and a concussion . A phase of rehabilitation followed, but in August 2003, at the age of 36, he had to announce his departure from ice hockey.

On February 4, 2004, Mike Richter was honored for his services to the New York Rangers. The number 35 has been withdrawn by the New York Rangers and will no longer be given to any other player on the team.

In a total of 742 games he was able to record 342 wins. Only Tom Barrasso and John Vanbiesbrouck had more wins, but they also took part in more games. Richter held 10 of 11 penalty shots.

Richter was always characterized by a rather introverted manner and little inclined to star airs. In 2008 he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame . He is married and has two children.

NHL statistics

Seasons Games Victory cut Conceded goal Shutouts
Regular season 15th 666 0.452 2.89 24
Playoffs 8th 76 0.540 268 9

Achievements and Awards

International

  • 1996 World Cup of Hockey All-Star Team
  • 2002 silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games
  • 2002 All-Star Team of the Winter Olympics

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Judge, Mike
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Richter, Michael Thomas (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American ice hockey player
DATE OF BIRTH September 22, 1966
PLACE OF BIRTH Abington Township , Pennsylvania