Iconic Athlete #9: Mark Messier
Called at various times "The Captain," "The Messiah" and "The Moose," 6-foot-2 Edmonton native Mark Messier played 10 groundbreaking seasons with the New York Rangers. A hockey legend, his career spanned a quarter-century in the NHL. Retired since 2005, he is still considered one of the best players the game has ever known. This is why.
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Early Years
Doug Messier, the father of the legend, was also a hockey player and was well-connected in the junior leagues. A call to Pat Stapleton, coach of the Indianapolis Racers, nabbed his 17-year-old son a contract to play hockey in Indianapolis. A stint with the Cincinnati Stingers followed. Mark was eventually drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft as a left winger, though he would eventually change positions to center in 1984. Messier won his first Stanley Cup in '84 (five more would follow during his career) and was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. Messier was on his way to becoming a legend, but so was his temper. After landing a sucker punch on Jamie Macoun's cheekbone during a game, Messier earned himself a 10-game suspension.
The First Rangers Years
Loved by the crowds in two countries, Messier's biggest, most hands-on fan continued to be his father, who was now also his agent. The older Messier tried, unsuccessfully, to better his son's deal with the Oilers. After a public admonition by Messier of his team, Edmonton management traded Messier to the New York Rangers for three players,citing the need to cut costs.
Messier continued to play legendary hockey for his new team, winning his second Hart Trophy during his first season. He played for the Rangers from 1991-97, during which time he won a Lester B. Pearson Award and scored the winning goal in Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden. Then-mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani dubbed him "Mr. June" during the ticker-tape parade celebrating the Rangers' win.
Messier was a fan-favorite throughout the area, but financial differences caused an emotional parting of the ways with his team at age 36. Despite widely publicized fan protest, a reluctant Messier signed a free-agent contract with the Vancouver Canucks.
A Stint Back In Canada
Messier's first season with the Canucks held some high drama as well as great moments on the ice. Made captain before the first game, Messier lost traction with Canucks fans who stayed loyal to former captain Trevor Linden. Messier's request to wear No. 11, his number during his tenure with both the Rangers and the Oilers, was also denied. The coup de grâce came when the Canucks played the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. An emotional Messier scored a goal against his former team, but teared up when a film clip of his Rangers days was shown. Meanwhile, Messier was feeling no love from Canucks fans. He left the team and returned to play for the Rangers,and his adopted city, in 2000.
Home At Last
Now in his 40s, Messier played for the Rangers until his retirement in 2004. In 2006, Messier's cherished No. 11 was retired by the Rangers at a highly emotional ceremony, and one year later it was retired by the Oilers. Messier was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the players category that same year.
Now in retirement, Messier keeps busy. He spearheads the Mark Messier Leadership Camp, which donates a portion of its proceeds to the Tomorrows Children's Fund, a non-profit organization devoted to children with blood disorders and cancer. Messier also sits on the board of the New York City Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund.
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Corey Whelan is a freelance writer in New York. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
