Lundqvist was selected by the Rangers in the seventh round (No. 205) of the 2000 NHL Draft and made his debut with them during the 2005-06 season. He was voted the winner of the 2012 Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the NHL and helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, a five-game loss to the Los Angeles Kings
He finished his NHL career 459-310-96 with a 2.43 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and 64 shutouts in 887 games, and 61-67 with a 2.30 GAA, .921 save percentage and 10 shutouts in 130 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He is the Rangers leader in wins, shutouts, games played, starts (871), saves (23,509), time on ice (51,816:51) and goalie points (27, all assists), and their postseason leader in wins, shutouts, games played, start (130), saves (3,567) and time on ice (7,935:25).
"It was an honor to play with Henrik for four seasons and watch his career evolve as I've moved through the organization," Rangers general manager Chris Drury said Monday. "Having his No. 30 etched in history forever is so well-deserved for a man who has done so much for the city of New York, on and off the ice. It will be a special moment for the entire organization."
The Rangers bought out the final season of Lundqvist's seven-year contract Sept. 30, 2020. He signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Washington Capitals on Oct. 9, 2020, but did not play last season because of a heart condition.
Lundqvist will be the 11th player to have his number retired by the Rangers, joining Ed Giacomin (1), Brian Leetch (2), Harry Howell (3), Rod Gilbert (7), Andy Bathgate (9), Adam Graves (9), Vic Hadfield (11), Mark Messier (11), Jean Ratelle (19) and Mike Richter (35).
"Over the franchise's history, only 11 Rangers players have earned the honor of having their numbers raised to the Garden rafters, where they forever serve as inspiration for others to follow," Rangers executive chairman James L. Dolan said. "For 15 seasons, Henrik Lundqvist embodied everything the Rangers organization stands for: excellence, commitment, pride, and leadership. It is only fitting that his No. 30 will now join the legends who have come before him."
