The Maven knows how tough it is in Rangerville.
No Blueshirt playoffs. No Sam Rosen. No Joe Michelleti. No NO QUIT IN RANGERS signs. But I have a momentary solution; the words of 1994 playoff hero Mike Richter.
Here are Richter's exact words to author Ross Bernstein about what he learned – a life lesson – from the Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup-winning experience.
It's all in Bernstein's superior book, "Raising Stanley – What It Takes To Claim Hockey's Ultimate Prize."
It happens to be one of my all-time favorite books while Richter is one of my all-time favorite Rangers. (Take it away, Mike).
"In 1994 we had two of our four playoff series go to seven games with a couple of games going into overtime. To survive all of that, to stay healthy and focused, requires a lot of preparation as well as a little bit of luck.
"Aside from that, you have to be able to get past tough losses almost immediately. You can't dwell on that stuff, it will kill you. Great teams can overcome tough losses and rebound the next night.
"It requires discipline and it's tough both mentally as well as physically, but it's paramount to success. You have to be internally motivated at this level; that is what separates those who have success and those who don't.
"Skill only gets you so far in this game. It requires perseverance, dedication and focus – all things that you learn over time. Make no mistake, though, they are absolutely vital to success – not just success in hockey either, but in life!"
One more thing from Mike:
"Winning a championship is a fantastic thing, but being pushed in order to fulfill your potential is really the more satisfying thing at the end of the day!"
