The seventh round, 205th overall. That's when Henrik Lundqvist was selected by the New York Rangers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
While other late-round picks are long forgotten without having ever skated in an NHL game, Lundqvist continues to rewrite the record books. As the Rangers secured their fifth straight win at home with a 4-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, the Swedish netminder recorded his 438th career win and moved into seventh place on the all-time wins list.
"It's a proud feeling...it means a lot to me."#NYR Henrik Lundqvist after his 438th win pic.twitter.com/icF1RoisxD
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 18, 2018
#NYR @HLundqvist30 with the game puck from win 438! pic.twitter.com/h4RRhiWBYe
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 18, 2018
In his 821st career game, Lundqvist made 39 saves and outdueled Panthers goaltender Roberto Luongo, who has 475 career wins and ranks fourth all time.
"To look at that list, there are some really good goalies who played a huge part in the history of the game," Lundqvist told reporters postgame. "It means a lot to me, but as a goalie, it also means you've been part of some really good teams."
The 2012 Vezina Trophy winner supplanted Hall of Fame goalie Jacques Plante and is now seven wins behind four-time Stanley Cup champion Terry Sawchuk. Both Plante and Sawchuk suited up for the Blueshirts during their careers as well.
Lundqvist, the winningest European goalie, holds the NHL record with 13 consecutive 20-win seasons and has recorded 30-plus wins in a season 11 times. Now in his 14th season, the two-time All-Star has seven wins with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage in 16 games this year.