Something had changed for Henrik Lundqvist.
“This summer, it was different. I felt the need to come back to New York,” Lundqvist, the 26-year-old Swedish-born goaltender now in his fourth season, said on Thursday. “It felt like I was coming home.
“There are so many people who want to come to New York and live in New York. It’s such a special place. The people who live here work hard and set high goals for themselves. If you come here, you have to work hard if you want to fit in and earn respect.
“I think it’s easy to pursue your dreams in that kind of environment. I feel like I belong here.”
Lundqvist is not only pursuing his dreams, he is helping children pursue theirs as well, as the newly named spokesperson for MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation, whose mission is to make dreams come true for children in crisis.
The foundation represents all of the Garden properties – the three pro sports teams, MSG Network and Radio City prominent among them – and has helped more than 90,000 children the last three years.
“In Sweden, we would visit hospitals, but there was not the same kind of connection to the community as there is here,” said Lundqvist, who played seven seasons of junior and pro hockey in Frolunda before joining the Rangers following the 2004-05 lockout. “When I came here, I started working with the Garden of Dreams and could see that it makes such a big impact on the lives of so many kids.
“To be a professional athlete in New York, you realize that you are pretty lucky, that you are really lucky. And with that comes a responsibility to give back.
“Every time I do something with the foundation, I can see the reaction not only from the kids, but also from their families. You can see how much it means to the parents When you walk out of there, they can’t thank you enough, when it really should be you thanking them.
“It’s an amazing experience.”
The foundation, which was conceived and first introduced by former Garden president Dave Checketts as “Cheering for Children,” works with partner organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Starlight Children’s Foundation, Harlem Dowling, Ronald McDonald House and Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. The Garden donates suites to the foundation for various events.
“I’m very honored that this foundation wants me as its spokesman,” Lundqvist said. “It means a great deal to me.”