Former NHL goalie Mike
Richter is known as one of the most successful American Goaltenders to ever
play in net. Richter led the New York Rangers to a Stanley Cup Championship in
1993-1994, and represented America in goal for various international tournaments.
Due to much success in his playing career, Richter was inducted into the U.S
Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008.
After suffering 2
concussions in 8 months, the American born talent was regrettably forced to retire.
After suffering these concussions Richter noticed that his thought process was
altered dramatically, as the once sharp mind he had felt less effective. Richter’s
heart was struck with deep sadness, after being forced to stop playing the game
he loved due to concussions. As a father of 3, he was aware that playing after
these injuries would be a great risk to his health. Richter played in 666
games, winning 301 of them, after spending his whole 14 year career with the
New York Rangers.
After his retirement,
Richter felt that he had more game left in him which made his final decision
all the more harder. Richter played his final game on November 5, 2002 after he
was involuntarily hit in the head by Todd Marchant. Richter then missed the last
9 games of the season with a fractured skull and concussion after being hit
with a shot in the mask. Any hope Richter had of playing again were crushed,
after neurologist Karen Johnston, told him his prognosis was not getting better
over 3 months. A warrior like Mike Richter could have played through various
injuries, but a concussion was not one of them.
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