Brian LEETCH

Brian Leetch was a defenseman who played 18 years in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins, although 16 of his seasons were spent with the Rangers. After playing one year of college hockey at Boston College, he played for the US National Team, leading up to the 1988 Winter Olympics, and then joined the Rangers at the end of the 1987-88 season. In the 1988-89 season, he was named to the All-Rookie Team, and won the Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year. He won many individual honors in his NHL career, winning the Norris Trophy in 1992 and 1997, given to the league’s top defenseman; and in 1994 led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup, and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Stanley Cup play-offs. In his 1991-92 season, Leetch became only the fifth NHL defenseman to score more than 100 points in a season, finishing with 102. Leetch was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008, and the International Hockey Hall of Fame the following year. In 1998, The Hockey News ranked Leetch as the 71st greatest ice hockey player ever. His #2 jersey was retired by the New York Rangers. Leetch’s father, Jack Leetch, also played hockey for Boston College. Brian Leetch was also a good baseball pitcher in high school, leading his Avon Old Farms team to the Connecticut State Championship.