Countdown to Hobey:
Boston CollegeYear: 1987See School Profile Page
Leetch is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 18 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins. He is generally considered one of the top defensemen in NHL history, being particularly noted for his skating, offense, and playmaking abilities. Leetch was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto the following year (his first year of eligibility). Leetch accumulated many individual honors during his 18-year career. He was a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s best defenseman (1992, 1997) and was the first American-born winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP for his performance during the Rangers’ run to the 1994 Stanley Cup championship. Leetch is one of only five NHL defensemen to score 100 points in a season with his 102-point campaign in 1991–92. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year in 1989 and his 23 goals that season remain an NHL record for rookie defensemen. Leetch’s number 2 was retired by the Rangers on January 24, 2008. During the ceremony, longtime teammate Mark Messier referred to Leetch as the single “Greatest Ranger of All Time.” Won the Calder Trophy as the NHL Rookie of the Year, 1989. Named one of the “100 Greatest NHL Players’ in history. Inducted along with Rangers teammate, Mike Richter, into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, 2008.

Top 10 Finalists