Mike Richter is the goalie for the NHL team the
New York Rangers. Born in
Abington, Pennsylvania on September 22, 1966. He began playing hockey in his teens, and in 1986 became
goalie for the
US National Team. In 1988, the Rangers drafted him, and he was placed in the Rangers minor league teams for the season. The next year, Mike started in 23 games posting a 12-5-5 record.
In the 91-92 season, Mike shared the starting goalie position with John Vanbesbrouck. In his 45 starts, Mike posted a 21-13-7 record, and started in all six of the Ranger's playoff games. With a .902 save percentage, Mike was named a finalist for the NHL's Vienna Trophy, awarded to the goalie with the lowest save percentage. The .902 was the second highest save percentage in the Rangers history. That season, Mike was named starter for Team USA in the Canada Cup. Team USA placed third.
In the 93-94 season, Mike appeared in a career-high 68 matches, posting a 42-12-6 record, along with a 2.57 goals against average. Mike was voted to the Eastern Conference All-star team, where he was voted most valuable player, the first goalie to be given the award in five years. Mike started in all 35 playoff games that season in which the Rangers won the Stanley Cup. That season, Mike played in four games with Team USA in the Hockey World Championships
In the 96-97 season, Mike was named starting goalie on Team USA for the World Cup of Hockey, which Team USA won. Mike was named MVP.
The following season, Mike had a franchise record 2.03 goals against average, he also tied for fourth in the NHL for most wins, with 33. In the playoffs, Mike Stopped 151 of 161 shots in the Conference Quarterfinals vs. Florida, posting a .938 save percentage and a 1.83 goals against average.
On March 8, Mie turned aside 24 shots in a 3-2 overtime victory vs. Toronto, moving past Ed Giacomin into sole possession of first place on the Rangers all-time wins list at home, with 129.
This season, Mike played in his 500th game, passed Giacomin for all time total wins (thx billy), was awarded the Player's Player Award, which is given to a player who receives the most votes from his team-mates. But during the Skills competition in the All Star game, Mike tore his left ACL, keeping him inactive for the rest of the season.
Mike currently holds second place for all time wins in the Rangers organization. Also, it's interesting to mention the unusual transaction Mike participated in during the 1998 Expansion draft. The Atlanta Thrashers were allowed to pick any player left unprotected by any team in the league, as each team was given a certain amount of protections to use.. At this time, the Rangers had numerous superstars wearing the "Broadway Blue" jersey, including Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, so the Rangers protected them, and left Richter unprotected. The Thrashers, in need of a franchise player, selected Richter first in the draft. However, immediately after being selected, Mike announced that he would sign a new contract with the Rangers, sending him back to New York.