Ed Giacomin, Rangers Legend and Hall of Famer, Dead at 86
From Garden roars to Hall of Fame honors, Ed Giacomin’s legacy as a Rangers legend will never be forgotten.
Ed Giacomin, one of eleven players to have their number retired by the New York Rangers, has passed away at the age of 86. The second player in franchise history to see his number hang from the World's Most Famous rafters, Giacomin was a Ranger for eleven seasons and played in 610 career games with the Rangers as well as the Detroit Red Wings.
Eddie Giacomin was an integral member of the New York Rangers for a decade and personified what being a Ranger is all about, both to his teammates and the Blueshirts faithful. You cannot discuss the history of this organization and not immediately think of Eddie. The great Rod… pic.twitter.com/pf5jupMv03
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 15, 2025
After getting his start in the Eastern Hockey League—a former minor hockey league in the 30s' and 50s'—Giacomin climbed the ranks and earned a job at the AHL level. It was there, he gained the interest of the Rangers and Red Wings and ended up becoming the number one goaltender for the New York Rangers. Worth noting this was during the Original Six era, meaning to become a starting goalie in the NHL, you really only had six opportunities available to you. Giacomin took that opportunity and ran with it, becoming a face of the franchise for the next decade.
Giacomin was beloved by the Rangers, to the point where after he was waived in 1975 and claimed by Detroit, Rangers fans boo'd their own team every time they shot the puck at Giacomin. His welcome back to the Garden was a warm one indeed as he received a standing ovation despite taking the ice in an opposing jersey. His name was chanted throughout the game in a moment that will be remembered forever in Rangers history.
Giacomin was on that late 60's/early 70's NYR team that should have won Cups. His return to the Garden in '75 as a member of the Red Wings was one of the most emotional nights in the history of the NHL.
— Jeff Marek (@JeffMarek) September 15, 2025
Condolences to his family and friends.
Upon retirement, Giacomin had a brief broadcasting career and served as an assistant coach with Detroit and the New York Islanders, as well as a goalie coach with the New York Rangers. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987 and his iconic number 1 took to MSG's rafters just two years later. To this day, Giacomin is in the top five for most Rangers goaltending records and is second behind Henrik Lundqvist for career shutouts.
His accomplishments on the ice were those of legends but it was who Giacomin was off the ice that has meant more to the Rangers community over the years. A man that Rod Gilbert referred to as the heart of their team, Giacomin was a great embodiment of what it meant to be a New York Ranger.
Throughout the years, he was always around for special events and would still come out to games at the Garden as he could. A friend of mine actually had the pleasure of meeting him at a game several years back where he was happy to take a photo and have a quick chat with a fan.
Rest in peace to a true Rangers legend on and off the ice and our condolences to his loved ones.
