No. 11 goes up into the rafters ... again

MONTREAL — When Vic Hadfield is celebrated before Sunday’s match at the Garden against the Jets, his No. 11 will be raised to the Garden pinwheel ceiling. Who’s No. 11? “Mark’s No. 11,” as Hadfield referred to it at one point during a long and winding conversation with The Post last Thursday. “As badly as we all wanted to do it, Mark was able to do something that none of us could do in New York.

“I’ve told Mark that ’94 made me so proud. It made all of the alumni so proud because we all felt that we were still part of it. I’m sure we didn’t celebrate the way they did, though.”

Mark, as in Messier. As in The Captain. As in No. 11; the No. 11 that was retired in his honor on Jan. 12, 2006. That Mark, who will be on hand to see another Ranger captain’s No. 11 join his among the ranks of the franchise’s recognized immortals.

“The number and the jersey belong to TEAM,” Messier told The Post in an exchange of texts. “As I have always said, the stage is big enough to share.”

Forty-five Rangers have worn No. 11 since Reg Mackey was the first in 1926-27. Messier, last to wear it on March 31, 2004, sent a cut-and-pasted partial list as part of a text.

“I’m happy to represent everyone of these guys and their journey to have the honor to wear the NYR jersey and No. 11,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a great night.”

When Hadfield’s jersey goes up, it will mark the second double-retired number in Rangers’ history, joining the No. 9 honored for both Andy Bathgate and Adam Graves. It will become the 12th double-retired number in league history.

“Like Andy and Adam, it’s Mark and me,” Hadfield said. “I’d never thought much about it, but when Mark’s No. 11 was retired, I guess that was probably it. But things change. It’s the number, but it’s also the name on the sweater.”

Vinni Lettieri slid into his familiar spot as fourth line right wing, this time beside fellow recent AHL grads Steven Fogarty and Tim Gettinger in his first game since Friday’s recall. But No. 95, who recorded three goals and two assists in four games with the Wolf Pack following his Nov. 18 demotion, was also installed on the second power play unit.

Tony DeAngelo was the healthy scratch on defense for the second time in the last four games.