It has been nearly eight years since the New York Rangers last won the Stanley Cup. On that spectacular night of June 14, 1994, the Rangers beat the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 3-2 in game 7 of the finals. No Ranger fan can forget the mile-wide smile pasted across the face of captain Mark Messier, as he took the coveted piece of silver from the hands of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

In order to bring the franchise their first championship in 54 years, members of the team had to contribute a great deal. Perhaps none did so more than goaltender Mike Richter. From his penalty-shot save on Pavel Bure, to his acrobatics in front of, and sometimes behind, the net, the shouts of "Save by Richter!" from the TV announcers were ubiquitous.

1996 was Richter's time to shine once again as the world's hockey superpowers gathered in different cities across North America for the World Cup. As most hockey fans know, team USA won the tournament, and Richter was named MVP.

Six years and two knee operations later, Richter finds himself in the international spotlight for perhaps the final time. No World Cup has been scheduled for the near future, and it is doubtful that Richter will still be playing at 39 by the time the 2006 Winter Games roll around.

While Richter has to know that his career is winding down, he seems to have forgotten to remind his body. Last night he received countless ovations from the capacity crowd in Salt Lake City, as he turned aside 33 Russian shots, allowing only 2 power play goals. Richter gave his teammates the opportunity to compete at the high level of their worthy opponents, allowing Brett Hull to tie the game with less than five minutes to play. The game ended in a 2-2 tie, and the Americans keep their impressive 70-year streak of not losing a game on home ice.

Soon Richter will return to New York to help the Rangers secure their first playoff berth since 1997. There are a number of reasons for the team's lack of success over the past few years. Two key reasons come to mind. First of all, allowing Mark Messier to leave the team for three years was perhaps the worst move in franchise history. He was, and still remains the heart of the Rangers, and a key to their success. How could GM Neil Smith send away the man who single-handedly prevented the Rangers from losing to the Devils in 1994?

Another Ranger mistake came when the Rangers replaced head coach Colin Campbell with John Muckler. While Muckler enjoyed success in the 1980's with the Edmonton Oilers, Mickey Mouse could've coached the Oilers in the 80's, and the team still would've won five Stanley Cups with their immense talent. Muckler's ideas simply did not fit with the Rangers' roster. Of course making comments like calling Manny Malhotra "a career third-liner" didn't exactly boost the team's confidence.

As fans' frustration grew, people began to wonder if Richter perhaps contributed to the team's downfall. I have always argued Richter's case to anyone who was willing to listen. I would hear Ranger fans talk about trading Richter, and the thought upset me a great deal. In today's modern sports age, where free agency rules the game, it is hard for one player to stay put in one city. So when a player like Richter has been around for so many years, how can fans suddenly turn against him?

With the Rangers success this season, it is easy to forget how close Richter came to being traded last year. Strong rumors indicated his forthcoming departure. Friends of mine can back me up that on more than one occasion I stated that I would not trade Richter for any other goalie in the league. That included Dominick Hasek, Patrick Roy, and Curtis Joseph. Sure, their stats might be better, but when the pressure gets as intense as can be, like in '94 with the Rangers, or '96 with Team USA, Richter always came through.

So as Team USA makes its way to the medal round in the 2002 Winter Games, I am extremely confident that they will make a strong push for the gold, stronger than most hockey experts believe. As long as French skating judges don't get involved with the officiating, Mike Richter and his teammates will stand on the highest podium, listening to the Star Spangled Banner, watching Olympic officials raise the Red, White, and Blue.