There were many memorable things from the Brian Leetch retirement ceremony at Madison Square Garden tonight, other than me once again forgetting my camera during a memorable moment. There was Tie Domi and Darren Langdon towing a Harley out as a gift for Leetch. There was Messier crying, again. There were the Rangers, old and new, that came to celebrate the raising of Leetch's number to the rafters.

But most memorable was when Leetch dropped the bomb on the crowd: that the Rangers had decided that it was time for Adam Graves to join the ranks of all-time Ranger greats by having his number retired. That will take place next season, and it's in tribute to Graves contributions both on and off the ice.

I've met Adam Graves once in my life. When he was still playing for the Rangers, I stood on line on the Upper East Side for 2 hours to donate a toy. Graves was, as usual, working tirelessly to bring Christmas to tons of children that wouldn't otherwise have one. He sat there collecting toys and signing autographs until the very last person had been taken care of. The thing is that it never came off as though he felt like he had to be there. No, Adam Graves wanted to be there.

And that's exactly why I want to be there when his number goes up to the rafters. And why I'll be cheering as loud as anyone else in the place.

Labels: Adam Graves, Brian Leetch, New York Rangers