‘The King’ is Back: Hockey world honours Lundqvist on jersey retirement night

Long may he reign.

The New York Rangers celebrated the career of former goaltender Henrik Lundqvist on Friday night, retiring his number 30 to hang amongst the rafters in Madison Square Garden with the 10 other players who hold that honour.

Lundqvist joined the Rangers at the start of the 2005-06 season, five years removed from his seventh-round selection (205th overall) in the 2000 NHL Draft. He would go on to suit up in a Rangers uniform for the next 15 seasons, becoming the greatest goaltender in the franchise’s 95-year history.

Lundqvist is franchise leader in wins (459), games played by a goalie (887), shutouts (64), and save percentage among those with 100 or more games played (.918).

The Rangers, media, and fans all over the hockey world took the opportunity to pay tribute to “The King.”

goes up to the rafters in @TheGarden pic.twitter.com/COP2ln83ck

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 29, 2022

What a moment. Absolute chills as Henrik Lundqvist steps onto The Garden ice for the first time tonight #30Forever pic.twitter.com/JBV0qXcRs2

— Rangers on MSG (@RangersMSGN) January 28, 2022

Please welcome:

Henrik. Lundqvist. pic.twitter.com/954RLz7mtU

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 28, 2022

Here comes a legend. pic.twitter.com/VsXAItLDUb

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 28, 2022

HEN-RIK pic.twitter.com/Gv0Vmgu5cv

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 28, 2022

Henrik Lundqvist back on the ice at MSG for the first time since March 2020. Roof just blew off of this place. pic.twitter.com/mZQH9XfPl7

— Mike Ashmore (@mashmore98) January 28, 2022

Henrik Lundqvist now has his No. 30 jersey in the @NYRangers rafters pic.twitter.com/kZh1ygSXtT

— ESPN (@espn) January 29, 2022

“He’s the epitome of a New York Ranger as far as I’m concerned”

– Glen Sather on Henrik Lundqvist pic.twitter.com/gkr7tRycIG

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) January 28, 2022

Lundqvist said of MSG, “This place both scared me and inspired me at the same time.”

“What gives me the most satisfaction is not the wins or the losses – it’s the commitment I felt to the New York Rangers.”#NYR

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 29, 2022

Pass the time till puck drop reading about Lundqvist’s elite play. https://t.co/OB2sktNY7N

— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) January 29, 2022

Very cool intro from Kevin Weekes, with Henrik Lundqvist now stepping up to the mic and saying, “I miss you guys.” #NYR

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 29, 2022

The burning question, @HLundqvist who are you wearing? #NYR #lundqvist pic.twitter.com/T7AfrooJNF

— Craig Bruce Smith (@craigbrucesmith) January 29, 2022

A well-deserved honor for Henrik Lundqvist

10 straight Vezina top-6 finishes from 2006-15. Across those 10 seasons, the Rangers allowed the NHL’s fewest goals, and had the 6th-best record despite scoring the 11th-fewest. A shame the Rangers couldn’t win a Cup with him here.

— James Smyth (@JamesSmyth621) January 29, 2022

cant wait to tweet “henrik lundqvist is a hall of famer” in the near future

— Juliana Nikac (@juliananikac) January 29, 2022

Lundqvist was the King which made these moments rare but very special. He and Marty were the best part of Devils v Rangers rivalry during my time in Jersey.

To hang in the rafters of MSG Congrats to the on a storied career. pic.twitter.com/O04MfdnCMy

— Ryan Carter (@Ryan_Carter22) January 29, 2022

My children have informed me that I’m not allowed to wear my Lundqvist jersey anymore. I don’t think that’s how it works.

— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) January 29, 2022

The Rangers players are all wearing Lundqvist jerseys, just like thousands of people in the stands here. Literally, it’s all I saw walking from the press room up to the bridge.

— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) January 28, 2022