Messier

[franko]

Messier retires after 25 NHL seasons

TSN staff
9/12/2005 12:09:26 PM

The 2005-06 NHL season will begin without the league's second-leading scorer of all time, as Mark Messier has officially announced his retirement from the game.

The Rangers announced that the team will retire his jersey on Jan. 12 in a game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Messier, who turns 45 in January, has been decorated with endless awards, trophies and international accolades during his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.

He has played 1,756 NHL games, second by 11 games to Gordie Howe's 1,767. He ranks seventh on the all-time goals list, third with 1,193 assists and second behind long-time teammate Wayne Gretzky with 1,887 points.

In 1994, he captained the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years.

Messier, a two-time Hart Trophy winner as the league's most valuable player, has appeared in 15 All-Star Games and was a member of six Stanley Cup-winning teams. He is the only player to captain two different teams to championships.

Messier's most recent NHL appearance in March of 2004 turned out to be his last, as he left the ice at Madison Square Garden with applause and cheers from teammates, family, friends, fans and even the visiting Buffalo Sabres.

bye-bye Moose

[franko]

12 years with Edmonton . . . 10 years with the Rangers . . . a stopover inVancouver . . . what will he be remembered for?

Being in Gretzky's shadow in Edmonton? The promise to bring the Cup to NY (and delivering)? Or for hanging on a bit too long?

[franko]

Career Highlights:

Stanley Cups: 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1994
Conn Smythe Award: 1984
Hart Memorial Award: 1990, 1992
Lester B. Pearson Award: 1990, 1992
Career Goals: 694
Career Assists: 1193
Career Points: 1887
Career Games Played: 1756
Career Penalty Minutes: 1910

[jkr]

I'm a little surprised he didn't play and break Howe's record for total games played. He only needs 11-12 games. That's a heck of an achievement.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

franko said:

12 years with Edmonton . . . 10 years with the Rangers . . . a stopover inVancouver . . . what will he be remembered for?

Being one helluva hockey player.

[cigarviper]

"Chip?"

[Forum Ghost]

franko said:

12 years with Edmonton . . . 10 years with the Rangers . . . a stopover inVancouver . . . what will he be remembered for?

Being in Gretzky's shadow in Edmonton? The promise to bring the Cup to NY (and delivering)? Or for hanging on a bit too long?

I'll remember Messier for being the only player in NHL history to captain two teams to the Cup.

For all of his accomplishments, I'll remember him more for those two Cup wins in 1990 and 1994, because one of them was minus Gretzky and the other broke a 54 year hex for the Rangers.

[Forum Ghost]

cigarviper said:

"Chip?"

LOL. ;D

Yeah, I'll remember him for that too.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

cigarviper said:

"Chip?"

Classic.

FWIW:

MARC HICKOX

A Very Williamson Playboys Christmas, December 19-21 at Tim Sims Playhouse

Advertiser:Lay's potato chips

Plot scenario? Young hockey player falls victim to Mark Messier's superior wit and tasty chips.

Character and motivation? Cocky first-round draft pick thinks speedy skating can beat salty goodness.

Why were you right for role? I'm cocky, and I skate like a son of a bitch.

How did you prepare? Four years in the East Coast hockey league.

What got cut? The part where I call Messier a "gutless Madonna ******" and he beats me like a material girl.

What did you buy with your first cheque? A ticket to the Canada/U.S. gold medal game.

What do you want to sell next? Out as in this city. All I do here is commercials.

- www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2002-12-19/stage_theatrefeature.php