Brian Leetch Officially a Hall of Famer

Well, it is now official, the Brian Leetch we have come to know and love, the Brian Leetch that holds about a dozen Ranger records, the Brian Leetch that played a tremendous part in this team's Stanley Cup Victory in 1994 is now a part of the Hockey Hall of Fame, as he was inducted tonight in Toronto. The Rangers did their part in honoring the spectacular career of Brian in raising his banner to the Garden rafters two years ago, where his name will be immortal, and now it was time for the National Hockey League to step in and honor one of the game's greatest defensemen.

247 goals, 781 assists, and 1,0281 points are the remarkable numbers that fill the stat page under Leetch's name. What you will not find on the stat page is that Brian won the Calder Trophy for Rookie of the Year in 1989, won the Con Smythe trophy as Playoff MVP in the Rangers' run to the cup in '94 (only American-born player to ever do so), as well as picking up two Norris Trophies along the way.

That right there says it all, and then you add the fact that he was one of the best American defensemen to ever lace up the skates in history, his two-way game was phenomenal, and he was probably the most favorited Ranger behind Mark Messier. The induction was a no-brainer, and neither were the members of the class he was inducted with in Brett Hull, Luke Robataille, Luo Lameriello, and John Davidson (J.D.).

In attendance to celebrate the event with Leetch were former teammates Mark Messier, Adam Graves, Mike Richter, and Jeff Beukeboom. As well as the likes of Wayne Gretzky and other elite legends.

On behalf of everyone here at The Rangers Tribune, Congratulations to Brian Leetch on his Hockey Hall of Fame Induction, and we thank you for the unforgettable years you pulled the Rangers sweater over your head! Well Deserved!

If you did not get a chance to view Leetch's speech on NHL network tonight, you can do so on the below video provided by NHL.com.....


(Photo courtesy of Getty Images)