I just finished writing a recap over at Battle of New York of how truly special it was to be at Madison Square Garden to see the greatest New York Ranger of them all have his number retired. Brian Leetch meant so much to this organization. After getting drafted out of BC in the first round by former GM Craig Patrick, No.2 became a staple on our blueline.

In a stellar 17-year Ranger career before he finished it with the Leafs and Bruins though his heart never left New York, the kid grew up before our very eyes morphing into one of the most dominant defensemen of his time winning a Calder Trophy along with a couple of Norrises and of course that remarkable Conn Smythe performance for the ages when the team finally broke a 54-year drought winning the Stanley Cup in 1994 over the Canucks in a fitting seven games.

There was Leetch impacting the biggest game played at the Garden since Willis Reed came out and intimidated Wilt Chamberlain and Lakers inspiring his 1970 Knicks to their first NBA championship. It was No.2 who scored on the power play off a brilliant no-look feed from Sergei Zubov into an open net taking all the time in the world (maybe that’s how it felt for a player who saw things differently on the ice than most) before burying it for that first important tally in Game Seven which set the tone.

It wasn’t just the offense though that special postseason where Leetch towered over everyone including The Captain Mark Messier pacing the team with 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points en route to becoming still the only American-born player to take home playoff MVP. How remarkable is that all this time later?!?!?!?!?!

The D from a player who never quite got the credit from critics about how well he read and reacted to plays in his prime was also evident during that entire postseason. His hockey instincts were exceptional. From the smart anticipation to break up opponents’ rushes and transition the other way to the hip checks and blocked shots where he sacrificed his body on very bad Ranger teams which definitely put some wear and tear on this special American star, Leetch was everywhere on that ice.

And the best part was he cherished being a Ranger and understood how much it meant to wear that jersey. The classy man appreciated the history and that was very evident during a great speech where he pointed out former Ranger teammates such as Ron Greschner which helped him mature as a player.

The appreciation of close teammates Messier, Mike Richter and of course Adam Graves who got the shock of the night when on his friend’s biggest night, it was that same guy who announced that No.9 would be in fact going up to the rafters next year to thunderous cheers.

And what about the pointed remarks about former D partner Jeff “Beuk” Beukeboom? Class all the way from somehow the coolest guy in the building at 33rd and Seventh on his night with not one tear shed. You could see how much he enjoyed this special moment.

For myself, it’s still very hard to believe it’s really been 15 years since Leetch and that special 1993-94 team which truly will last as Sam Rosen might echo, “A Lifetime.”

You flashback and think to where you were during that run. Just seeing how much it meant to my father was enough joy. He grew up a diehard Blueshirt fan and had season tix even watching NHL legend Bobby Orr skate the Cup around the Garden ice in 1972. 

To finally see his team win after so many endless years of frustration, it meant everything. Maybe as a kid, I never realized it then. I guess as you get a little older, you learn to appreciate it that much more because unless you’re really lucky, championships don’t come around that often. That’s why I’ve always cherished when my teams have won. This epic Giant run this January has been special enough. It’s been seven years since that disappointing Super Bowl blowout defeat at the hands of the Ravens.

But really, it’s been 17 long years for Big Blue supporters since that very memorable dramatic conclusion of Super Bowl XXV. Who knows when we might get a chance to see this team get this far again? So what if the Patriots stand in the way looking to make even more NFL history. I got to be honest. I want the Giants to do it!

That run those Joe Torre/Derek Jeter Yankees had winning four world titles in five years is viewed differently because now we understand just how hard it really was to accomplish. When they’re packing up early every October instead of it being No.27, 28, 29 and so on…it really makes you reevaluate things.

As a sportsfan, you have to enjoy the moments when they come. That’s what June 1994 was and what more than ever Thursday night was all about. One more epic night to remember a great time for one of our childhood heroes and special teams.

Never forget it.