NEW YORK - The New York Rangers will retire the No. 2 sweater of former star defenseman Brian Leetch during the upcoming 2007-08 regular season, the team announced Thursday.

Leetch, who officially retired from the NHL last May, enjoyed an outstanding 18-year career and is widely considered the best defenseman in Rangers’ franchise history.

The Rangers will honor Leetch on Jan. 24, when they will raise his jersey to the Madison Square Garden rafters in a ceremony before the team’s contest against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Leetch will become the fifth player in franchise history to have his number retired, joining Eddie Giacomin (1), Rod Gilbert (7), Mark Messier (11) and Mike Richter (35).

“I appreciate that the New York Rangers have extended the honor of raising my jersey to the Madison Square Garden rafters alongside team icons Rod, Eddie, Mike, and Mark,” Leetch said. “New York City, the Garden and Rangers fans hold a special place in my heart and have supplied me with a lifetime of extraordinary memories.

“This night will be a very special one for me and my family, and I look forward to returning to Madison Square Garden and being able to call it home.”

Leetch appeared in 1,205 career games with the Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins from 1987-2006, recording 247 goals and 781 assists.  He was instrumental in leading the Rangers to 1994 Stanley Cup, ending the franchise’s 54-year drought without a title.

Leetch is the Rangers’ all-time franchise leader in assists (741) and ranks second in career points (981) and games (1,129). The Corpus Christi, Texas native also holds the club record for goals by a defenseman with 240.

“When we talk about what it means to be a New York Ranger, Brian Leetch is the player who exemplifies that model,” Rangers general manager Glen Sather said.  “He is simply the greatest defenseman in the history of the franchise and gave the same effort when it came to helping the community off the ice.

“There is no higher honor to grant Brian then to have his number raised to the rafters of Madison Square Garden to join the other Garden legends.”

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