It's amazing that in the time you're watching hockey, you never can tell how it's going to play out over the long haul. The Rangers were never good as a kid for me, the dark ages were just shuffling in, but you still love the team and hope things go in the right direction.
For 15 years, that hope was Henrik Lundqvist. You think back to 2005 and this team and franchise had no direction, was predicted to finish dead last until Hank took the nets. He never let it go.
It bothers me and probably many others that we never got to send him off on the ice as a player. The last time seeing him play in person was a game against Dallas and he got pulled halfway through. His last pro game was in an empty arena. You rarely get to see your heroes go out on top.
I will always remember heading to MSG and just knowing you've got a shot to see a win because #30 was between the pipes. It was the first jersey I wanted.
All the saves, all the wins and shutouts, all the emotional highs, and unfortunately all the end of seasons falling short, but in the end you always came back and knew that as long as #30 was out there, you could come back in October and hope.
We've gotten to celebrate a jersey retirement and we'll get one more night in Toronto. Thank you Hank for giving everything possible. For giving a city hope. For giving the fans a reason to believe.
