Eyes in the water and a frank smile on his lips, Henrik Lundqvist watched his number 30 climb to the heights of Madison Square Garden on Friday evening, after a large and moving ceremony in New York.
Updated yesterday at 10:39 p.m.
“Henrik! Henrik! Henrik! »
Through the incessant cries of the crowd, which drew several laughs from him, Lundqvist gave a stirring speech in front of packed bleachers in one of the most legendary amphitheaters in the world.
” I missed you ! “, he launched from the outset, making the crowd react even more.
With all his presence, the 39-year-old ex-athlete looked back on the defining moments of his career, starting with the first time he set foot in Madison Square Garden in April 2001.
I had been drafted the previous year. I was here to watch, to understand what it was like to play in the NHL and to be a member of the New York Rangers. This place scared and inspired me at the same time. The fans were so passionate, so intense.
Henrik Lundqvist
“Four years later, I had a dinner in Gothenburg with Mr. Glen Sather. He was there to watch me and see if it was worth giving me a chance. I remember he was pretty quiet during dinner. He looked me in the eye, stopped smoking his cigar and asked me, “Are you ready for New York?” I wanted to be confident, but I wasn’t sure what he meant. I replied, “I think so.” »
PHOTO BRAD PENNER, USA TODAY SPORTS
A modest seventh-round pick in 2000, Lundqvist has become one of the best goalkeepers of his generation. He played in all of his 887 regular NHL games with the Rangers. Winner of the Vézina Trophy in 2012, he compiled a record of 459-310-96, with an average of 2.43 and a save percentage of .918. He also had 64 shutouts.
“King Henrik” was particularly known for his intensity. In his ten-minute speech, he talked a lot about this thirst for victory that characterized him.
“I remember my lunches with my wife every game day,” he said. She asked me questions, I answered with one or two words, but I mainly thought about the match. »
“The highs were very high, but the lows were very low,” he continued. There wasn’t much between the two. This is how I decided to live my life for the past 16 years in New York. […] Sometimes I wonder if that was a bit extreme. Probably yes. »
The Swede, moved, did not fail to address the New York supporters: “You have supported me throughout my career. It was an amazing experience and it brought me so much happiness. »
“No matter what I’m told, I always come back to one feeling and that’s gratitude,” he added. I feel so grateful for everything this organization has given me. She supported me and my family. »
Henrik Lundqvist is the 11and player to have his jersey retired by the Rangers. No less than a hundred members of his family and friends, both from Sweden and the United States, were on hand for the occasion.
PHOTO BRAD PENNER, USA TODAY SPORTS
” A lot of emotions ”
Henrik Lundqvist was expected to play for the Washington Capitals in 2020-21, but a heart condition prevented him from doing so. He finally announced his retirement last August.
Ahead of Friday’s ceremony, No. 30 spoke to former teammate Michael Rupp in a filmed interview.
“I’ve had a lot of time over the past 12 months to reflect on my years in New York,” he said. I am very grateful for these 15 years of memories, of friendship. It’s a bit surreal. »
To be an athlete in this city is a privilege.
Henrik Lundqvist
In a pre-game press conference, Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant was asked what memories he has of the new Immortal.
“So many bad memories! he joked. At the World Championship two years ago, he beat us when I was an assistant coach for Team Canada. »
“He was an excellent goalkeeper, obviously,” he added. He was the pride of New York, a great goalkeeper and a good person. I don’t know him personally, but it’s a beautiful evening [pour l’organisation]. »
Lundvist is the sixth-most winning goaltender in NHL history. Internationally, he notably helped Sweden win gold at the Turin Olympics in 2006 and silver in Sochi in 2014.