The Rangers have set the date for goalie Henrik Lundqvist's No. 30 to fly high in the Madison Square Garden rafters forever.
Jan. 28, 2022 against the Minnesota Wild will be the date Lundqvist returns to The Garden on what will undoubtedly be an emotional night for the man who hung up his skates and pads back in August.
The Rangers quickly stated that Lundqvist's number would be retired, and rightfully so after his 15-year career with the team.
"It is with mixed emotions that The New York Rangers offer our best wishes and heartfelt gratitude to Henrik Lundqvist on the announcement of his retirement," the team said in a statement. "Henrik’s commitment to excellence made him one of the best goaltenders to ever play the game of hockey, and we are so fortunate to have witnessed his greatness firsthand for 15 years. As we congratulate Henrik on an extraordinary career and a lasting legacy of success, charity and character, we are honored to announce that we will retire his number and raise his jersey to the rafters at an upcoming game this season. Henrik is, and always will be, a Ranger."
Lundqvist was taken by the Rangers in the 2000 NHL Draft, and in 887 career games, he owned a 459-310 record with 23,509 saves and a .918 save percentage. He has 64 shutouts to his name as well.
The two-time All-Star and 2011-2012 Vezina Trophy winner is the only goalie in NHL history to record 30 wins in each of his first seven seasons and was the fastest goalie to 400 wins in NHL history.