Photo Gallery

Despite possessing a 90+ m.p.h. fastball and leading his high school baseball team to a state championship as a sophmore, Leetch decided hockey, not baseball, was his game.

Like his father Jack, Leetch enrolled at Boston College, and also like his dad, became an All-America defenseman for the Eagles.

In his first full NHL season (1988-89) Leetch notched 71 points, including a rookie defenseman-record 23 goals to win the Calder Trophy.

In 1991-92 Leetch became only the fifth defenceman (Orr, Potvin Coffey, MacInnis) and the only American, to score 100 points in a season when he scored 102.

In 1994, Leetch became the first American, and first non-Canadian to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when his New York Rangers defeated the Vancouver Canucks in seven games.

In the first ever World Cup of Hockey in 1996, Leetch captained Team U.S.A. to an upset win over Team Canada.

Despite playing in an era with no shortage of great defenceman, Leetch managed to win two James Norris Trophies (1992 and 1997).

Leetch holds several Rangers team records including most career playoff points (89) and most career assists (741).

Leetch was reportedly devastated when Rangers GM Glen Sather dealt him to the Maple Leafs just prior to the trade deadline in 2004 for prospects Maxim Kondratiev, Jarkko Immonen and two draft picks.

Leetch suited up for Team U.S.A one final time for the 2004 World Cup. The States were upset by Finland 2-1 in the semi-finals.

The Connecticut native's career came full circle in 2005-06 when he signed a one-year deal with the Boston Bruins.

On January 24, 2008, the New York Rangers retired Leetch's No. 2. In attendance was his good friend, and fellow No. 2, Derek Jeter.