Rangers to raise Jean Ratelle's No. 19 to rafters next season

The New York Rangers plan to pay tribute to a legendary former Blueshirt.

Jean Ratelle's iconic No. 19 will be lifted to the rafters of Madison Square Garden next season, the club announced Saturday.

The 76-year-old was named to the NHL's list of its 100 greatest players and took part in the All-Star festivities in Los Angeles last month.

Ratelle ranks second in franchise history with 336 goals, and third with 817 points.

His 491 career goals combined with the Rangers and the Boston Bruins rank 47th on the NHL's all-time list.

Ratelle was a two-time Lady Byng Trophy winner who spent parts of 16 seasons with the Rangers.

He was also a member of Canada's victorious 1972 Summit Series squad and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985.