Three's Company
Each of the three leading point scorers in NHL history - Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, and Mark Messier - played for the Rangers and wore the Liberty jersey during their tenure with the team. In addition, each player reached significant milestones in their career and had memorable moments while wearing the Liberty jersey:
Two Good
The two most recent instances of a Rangers defenseman winning the Norris Trophy took place in a season which the team unveiled a Liberty jersey (Adam Fox - Reverse Retro jersey in 2020-21; Brian Leetch - original Liberty jersey in 1996-97). Those two seasons are also the only two times a Rangers defenseman has won the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award since it was first presented in 1987-88.
The Dates and Moments
Here is a list of numerous dates and moments regarding the Rangers and the Liberty jersey:
- Jan. 13, 1997 vs. NY Islanders - The Rangers played their first game in the Liberty jersey against the Islanders at MSG.
- Feb. 8, 1997 at NY Islanders - Mark Messier recorded his final hat trick and became the first Ranger to tally a hat trick at Nassau Coliseum as the Rangers defeated the Islanders, 5-2.
- Mar. 12, 1997 vs. Washington - Mike Richter made a penalty shot save and Mark Messier tied Mike Bossy for 10th place on the NHL's all-time goals list as the Rangers defeated the Capitals, 3-2, at MSG.
- Apr. 20, 1997 at Florida - The Rangers wore an alternate jersey for a playoff game for the first time in franchise history and defeated the Panthers, 3-0, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
- Apr. 25, 1997 at Florida - Esa Tikkanen tallied his second overtime goal of the Rangers' Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series against the Panthers, helping the Blueshirts win Game 5, 3-2, and eliminate the Panthers.
- May 4, 1997 at New Jersey - Mike Richter's barehanded save in the final minute preserved his shutout and helped the Rangers defeat the Devils, 2-0, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
- May 11, 1997 at New Jersey - Adam Graves registered the game-winning, and series-winning, goal in overtime of Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals as the Rangers defeated the Devils, 2-1, and eliminated New Jersey.
- May 18, 1997 at Philadelphia - Wayne Gretzky recorded his final career playoff hat trick as the Rangers defeated the Flyers, 5-4, in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
- Oct. 16, 1998 vs. New Jersey - The Rangers wore their White Liberty jersey in a game for the first time. The Rangers wore this version of the Liberty jersey for the 1998-99 season.
- Jan. 13, 1999 vs. NY Islanders - Adam Graves registered the game-winning goal in overtime off a cross-ice pass from Wayne Gretzky as the Rangers defeated the Islanders, 4-3.
- Feb. 28, 1999 vs. Philadelphia - Petr Nedved recorded a hat trick, including the game-winning goal in the third period, as the Rangers defeated the Flyers, 6-5.
- Feb. 11, 2000 vs. Boston - Rangers rookie Jan Hlavac tallied a hat trick on "Hat Night" at MSG, and the Rangers defeated the Bruins, 5-2.
- Dec. 8, 2000 vs. Buffalo - Brian Leetch registered his 818th career point as a Ranger, passing Jean Ratelle for sole possession of second place on the franchise's all-time points list.
- Jan. 14, 2001 vs. Minnesota - Mike Richter's five consecutive saves - several of which were highlight-reel saves - while the Rangers were killing off a 5-on-3 power play in the first period led to a 4-2 win over the Wild at MSG.
- Mar. 19, 2001 vs. Washington - Mark Messier registered his 1,772nd career NHL point, passing Marcel Dionne for sole possession of third place on the league's all-time points list, as the Rangers defeated the Capitals, 6-3.
- Dec. 2, 2001 vs. Tampa Bay - Mike Richter earned the final shutout of his NHL career as the Rangers defeated the Lightning, 1-0, at MSG.
- Dec. 15, 2001 vs. Buffalo - Mark Messier became the third player in NHL history to tally 1,800 career points (along with Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe).
- Nov. 23, 2003 vs. Ottawa - Mark Messier became the second player in league history to skate in 1,700 career games (along with Gordie Howe). The Rangers defeated the Senators, 6-2, at MSG.
- Oct. 15, 2005 vs. Atlanta - In his second career game at MSG, Henrik Lundqvist received "Hen-Rik" chants from the MSG crowd for the first time as the Rangers defeated the Thrashers, 5-1.
- Nov. 5, 2005 vs. New Jersey - The Rangers earned their first all-time shootout win, defeating the Devils, 3-2. Petr Prucha tallied the game-deciding goal in the fourth round of the shootout.
- Nov. 26, 2005 vs. Washington - Marek Malik's between-the-legs goal in the 15th round of the shootout led the Rangers to a 3-2 win against the Capitals. Following the game, the Rangers began a new tradition with their "stick salute" to the crowd.
- Mar. 27, 2006 vs. Buffalo - Jaromir Jagr tallied his 52nd goal of the 2005-06 season, tying Adam Graves' single-season franchise record, and the Rangers rallied to defeat the Sabres, 5-4, in a shootout.
- Nov. 14, 2006 vs. New Jersey - Jaromir Jagr (two goals) and Brendan Shanahan tallied three goals in a span of 90 seconds in the third period to help the Rangers rally from a 2-0 deficit and defeat the Devils, 3-2.
- Nov. 19, 2006 vs. Tampa Bay - Jaromir Jagr registered his 600th career NHL goal as the Rangers defeated the Lightning, 4-1, at MSG.
- Mar. 19, 2007 vs. Pittsburgh - In the Rangers' final game wearing the original version of the Liberty jersey, Jaromir Jagr recorded the game-winning goal in the final minute of regulation to help the Rangers defeat the Penguins, 2-1.
- Feb. 4, 2021 vs. Washington - The Rangers wore their Reverse Retro jersey for the first time and defeated the Capitals, 4-2.
- Mar. 17, 2021 vs. Philadelphia - Mika Zibanejad tied a single-period NHL record by tallying six points (three goals, three assists) in the second period of the Rangers' 9-0 win over the Flyers.
- Nov. 3, 2022 vs. Boston - The Rangers usher in a new era of the Liberty jersey by wearing their Reverse Retro 2022 jersey for the first time.
