Mike Richter
Michael Thomas Richter ( born September 22, 1966 in Abington Township, Pennsylvania) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender 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 Hockey goalkeeper of all time.
Career
Judge hockey career began in 1984 at the Philadelphia Junior Flyers, where he won 36 games 23. In 1985 he moved to the high school, played in the Northwood Huskies and also contested the Junior World Championships in 1985. During NHL Entry Draft in 1985 it chose the New York Rangers in the second round as the 28th His path led him to the University of Wisconsin in their team, he also played hockey. Since a successful appearance at the 1986 World Junior Championships, he was also appointed to the U.S. ice hockey team. 1987/88 he took a tour of the national team in preparation for the 1988 Olympics in Calgary part. After the Olympics, when they finished a disappointing seventh place, he finished the current season in the farm team for the Colorado Rangers in the IHL. He remains there even in the 1988/89 season in which the team now aground as Denver Rangers.
From the 1989/90 season he played mostly in the NHL for the New York Rangers. At first he was substitute by John Vanbiesbrouck, where he soon took its crown. Particularly successful was the 1993/94 season in which he had a great share in the profits of the Stanley Cup for judges. Of great importance was the 5-2 win against the rival of the U.S. team, Canada, in the third and decisive final match at the World Cup of Hockey 1996. Mike Richter was subsequently voted the best player of the tournament. Also at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano stepped judge for the United States, albeit less successful here - the U.S. has failed in the quarter- finals in the late Olympic champion Czech Republic. In February 2001, Judge injured so badly that he turned 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-final against Russia; in the final against rival Canada, U.S. underwent then, however. On March 22, 2002 Richter was hit by a slap shot and suffered a skull fracture and a concussion. There followed a period of rehabilitation, but he had in August 2003, at the age of 36 years, announce his departure from the sport of ice hockey.
On February 4, 2004 Mike Richter was honored for his services to the New York Rangers. The number 35 was retired by the New York Rangers and will be awarded in the future at no other player has more on the team.
In a total of 742 games, he was able to record 342 victories. Only Tom Barrasso and John Vanbiesbrouck had more wins, but they also took part in more games. Judge considered 10 of 11 penalty shots.
Judges always distinguished itself through a more introverted nature and tended little airs and graces. In 2008 he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. He is married and has two children.