Henrik Lundqvist can now add Hall of Famer to his prolific career as the former Rangers goalie was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday night with the rest of the 2023 class.
A no-brainer, Lundqvist became a member of the HOF in his first year of eligibility after a 15-year stint in the NHL, all in New York after the Rangers drafted him in the seventh round of the 2000 NHL Draft.
The Swedish native finished his career with 887 games played (ninth most in NHL history), 459 wins (sixth most) and 64 shutouts (17th most) from 2005-06 to 2019-20 with a .918 save percentage (11th best).
“When I think about how it started, a seven by three meter big sandpit in kindergarten up in Are, Sweden to Madison Square Garden and now Hockey Hall of Fame, it’s just an incredible feeling,” Lundqvist said.
Since his entrance into the league, Lundqvist, now 41 years old, made an immediate impact not only for the Blueshirts, but for the city of New York. He led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup appearance in 2014, won the Vezina trophy in 2012 and set an NHL record with 13 straight seasons of 20 or more wins.
In his acceptance speech he talked about his worry as a kid that he, born in a small town like Are, Sweden, would never be noticed.
“I find it ironic that my early concerns eventually led me to the big stage on Broadway,” Lundqvist said. “It’s almost like it was meant to be. But growing up, I always had big dreams. My dad told me, my brother and my sister at an early age, ‘Dream big, it’ll inspire you to work harder.’ I’ll never forget that. But to be honest I never saw this – to get an opportunity to play my entire NHL career for an original six, to create amazing memories as a Ranger for 15 years.”
Among others, Lundqvist thanked James Dolan and Glen Sather, former president of the Rangers, and said Madison Square Garden “felt like home.”
He also thanked Rangers fans “for the love and support you showed me throughout my career and continue to do as I run into so many of you in New York City and around the world.”
Of course, the goaltender also gave a shout out to his former teammates and acknowledged how “intense” and “demanding at times” he could be on the ice.
“Just know I was even more demanding of myself,” he said. “It was a roller coaster. I loved winning so much but losing was just the worst. It really affected me, how I lived my life. But I was really lucky to play with so many great teammates. I often think of them and how much joy they brought to my life. I want to thank every one of them.”
Lundqvist joins fellow inductees Tom Barrasso, Ken Hitchcock, Pierre Lacroix, Caroline Ouellette, Pierre Turgeon and Mike Vernon in the 2023 Hall of Fame class.
