Kids woke me up so here goes....
Team Slapshot are proud to select as
Defenceman #1
Brian Leetch
Brian Joseph Leetch (born
March 3,
1968 in
Corpus Christi,
Texas) is a retired
American professional
ice hockey defenseman who played in 18
National Hockey League (NHL)
seasons with the
New York Rangers,
Toronto Maple Leafs, and
Boston Bruins. He is generally considered one of the top defensemen in NHL history, being particularly noted for his offense and playmaking abilities. He and fellow Rangers teammate
Mike Richter were inducted in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.
Some highlights:
- An NHL record 23 goals for a rookie defenseman in the 1988-1989 season led to the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie
- Winner of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in the 1991-1992 season and the 1996-1997 season.
- Named to 11 NHL All-Star teams
- Won 1994 Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers
- Was the only American born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 1994.
- Won gold medal at 1996 World Cup of Hockey - Was the captain of Team USA
- Won silver medal at 2002 Winter Olympics
- Enshrined into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame