‘He Plays With An Edge’

Mike Richter knows good American hockey when he sees it.

The best American-born goaltender of all time is an NHL legend who made a name for himself not only as the net stopper for the 1994 Stanley Cup Champion New York Rangers, but as the MVP in Team USA’s 1996 World Cup gold medal win.

Although Team USA didn’t walk away with the gold medal in the recent 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament — they came close in a 3-2 overtime loss to Team Canada — there’s a buzz surrounding hockey in America that hasn’t been seen in years (or ever).

“It’s spectacular,” says Richter in a one-on-one interview. “ You saw in the Four Nations Tournament, every one of those teams, the margin of victory was very slim. They all pass you to score. There’s no holes in the lineup and the skill set is just through the roof. When you put that combination of real kind of intensity, fueled by pride in your national team, along with that level of capability, you have an unbelievable product.”

The final game in the 4 Nations Face-Off saw Team Canada win on an overtime goal by Connor McDavid. The game drew 9.3 million viewers, the second-most watched hockey game over the past decade behind Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.

 ”Hockey’s in an exceptionally good spot right now,” says Richter. “I think that the Four Nations tournament, as novel as it was, just put that level of skill on display. It wasn’t a departure from what you get to every day. It was just magnified a hell of a lot better.

“You really do have the top players from each team, but Canada that probably could have had another team out there,” Richter continues to say. “There’s that much talent in the league. There’s no team that is lacking in terms of skill.  Everybody who played the game started out as a fan certainly is one. These are really entertaining great things to be part of.”

While the 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament is over and NHL teams play out the remainder of the regular season for playoff spots, Richter believes the momentum from the tournament will carry over moving forward for hockey.

 ”Now you’re starting to understand some of the storylines and everything from injuries,” says Richter. “Who’s on a hot streak, who pops out of this tournament with more renewed vigor or confidence. Who didn’t perform to their capabilities and do they get angry and come back and play better.”

Mike Richter on Matthew Tkachuk: ‘He Plays With An Edge’

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk emerged as the face of Team USA hockey during the tournament. Tkachuk had already cemented himself as a star after winning a Stanley Cup with the Panthers last season and two consecutive Finals appearances.

However, he became a national name when he threw fists with Team Canada’s Brandon Hagel to open up the game — there were three fights in the first nine seconds — in Team USA’s first game against them.

Tkachuk has a grit and personality to him that’s easily marketable to American hockey fans. There aren’t many players you can say that about. It also doesn’t hurt that Tkachuk is very vocal and was open about how passionate he is to represent Team USA entering the tourney. He’s also made appearances recently on the Kelce brothers’ podcast, “New Heights,” and “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.”

 ”Big players show themself in big moments and he certainly came to play,” says Richter of Tkachuk. “He was unfortunately injured in that last game. I think that the attitude of this is a huge competition and it matters to us and kind of putting yourself on the line is, you gotta respect that. He plays with an edge.”

Mike Richter Partners With Rangers Star Will Cuylle For Fanatics Collaboration

Richter is partnering up with Fanatics along with one of the Rangers’ top young stars in Will Cuylle for a limited edition collaboration with Todd Snyder that features unique apparel stretched across 12 teams. Among those 12 teams outside of the Rangers are the Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks.

The “elevated hockey fan apparel” featured in the collection includes cashmere rugby shirts, crewneck sweatshirts and fleece oversized hoodies and the collection was officially launched on Feb. 26.

“It’s actually pretty cool,” says Richter of the collection. “The NHL has gotten kind of into the front of the fashion world, and I see guys going to the games — for fans and players alike — it’s their way of expressing themselves. I think more and more there’s some great technology and different interesting pieces. Expressing your love for your local team as a fan. I think these are all great ways of getting people to participate.”

The 58-year-old Richter speaks on how fans now have different options for gear to wear to support their teams. Back when he was growing up, all you could buy was the game-worn jerseys.

 ”They’re able to do things that are a departure from the normal game-worn jersey, which is always a great staple in the stands,” says Richter. “Now you have the outdoor games. There’s jackets, there’s bombers, there’s different ways of imprinting. There’s some that look subtle. It’s an interesting time and it’s different than when we were kids, that’s for sure.”