Brian Leetch
Brian Joseph Leetch ( born March 3, 1968 in Corpus Christi, Texas ) is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played from 1988 to 2006 for the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League.
- 3.1 International
Career
At the Junior World Cup in 1985 the then 16 years old Leetch became the first time in the spotlight. He then played at the Avon Old Farms. In the season 1985 /86 brought the defender in just 28 games to 84 points scorer. This earned him apart from participation in the Junior World Cup 1986, the ninth place in the Draft NHL Entry Draft in 1986, when the New York Rangers secured the rights to the hopeful Junior defender. Leetch went to college in Boston, where he played with the Boston College ( NCAA), where his father before him, Jack had played. After a good season and another Junior World Cup, he prepared himself with the American team at the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. After a disappointing 7th place he played 17 games for the Rangers and left with 14 points already a good impression.
His rookie season, he played 1988/89 and although the expectations were very high, he could surpass them all. In only 68 games he scored 71 points scorer. Together with Zarley Zalapski he was the defense in the NHL All- Rookie team and well ahead of Trevor Linden, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy. His second season was not as successful and an elbow injury ended the season prematurely. He returned heavily in its third season and was in the 1991/92 season the outstanding defender of the NHL. 102 points scorer earned him the James Norris Trophy.
His greatest achievement was winning the Stanley Cup in the season 1993 / 94th Together with Mark Messier and Mike Richter, he was one of the key players who were able to bring the Cup after 50 years back to Broadway. The best player of the playoffs, he was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy. In 1996, he won with the team the U.S. World Cup of Hockey. Outstanding were his performances in the season 1996 / 97th Here he was the James Norris Trophy win again. In 1997, he also became the captain of the Rangers. At the Olympic Games in Nagano in 1998 it rich again only for 6th place
The 1999/2000 season was marred by injuries and Leetch brought it only to 26 points. He returned in the coming season but strongly back and reached again 79 points. Then he could not build on the great achievements of the 1990s. In his third 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, he was a pillar of the team that won the Olympic silver medal.
On 3 March 2004 Brian Leetch was transferred to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After the complete failure of season 2004/ 05 Brian Leetch signed with the Boston Bruins. On 17 October 2005, he broke through as 7 defenders and 69th player ever the barrier of 1000 points scorer in the NHL.
After he could not find a new team for the 2006/07 season, he spent the year as unrestricted free agent before he officially ended his career on 24 May 2007.
On 24 January 2008, the New York Rangers have his jersey number 2 as a banner hung on the ceiling of Madison Square Garden, which is thus given to any player of the franchise more. In addition, he received on November 7, 2007, the Lester Patrick Trophy for his contributions to the sport of ice hockey in the United States.
In 2009 he was honored with induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Career Stats
Internationally
Represented the U.S. at:
- U20 World Junior Championships 1985
- U20 Junior World Cup 1986
- U20 World Junior Championships 1987
- 1987 World Championships
- Winter Olympics 1988
- World Cup 1989
- Canada Cup 1991
- World Cup of Hockey 1996
- 1998 Winter Olympics
- 2002 Winter Olympics
- World Cup of Hockey 2004
( Key to Career statistics: Sp or GP = Games Played, T or G = goals scored, V or A = achieved assists; Pts or Pts = scored points scorer, SM or PIM = received penalty minutes, / - = Plus / Minus balance sheet; PP = scored majority gates; SH = scored shorthanded goals, GW = achieved victory gates; Play-downs/Relegation 1 )