Way to Go, Eh?
Much has been said of New York Rangers captain, Mark Messier, in a
career spanning 25 years. Like, maybe he has stuck around the league
too long. Or that his skills are diminished. Well the latter is pretty
much a given, after that amount of time, but no one can say that
having him in the NHL has done more for the game, than without him. In
an era of high salaries and pick-an-extreme-position coverage, his
presence as a primary leader to a group of pasty-faced college kids,
only proves flash and youth is no substitute for the wisdom of
experience.
Last night, Messier passed Gordie Howe on the all-time leading
goals list, to climb into the number 2 spot, behind The Great One,
Wayne Gretzky. Messier pulled into a tie with Howe, (1849 goals) with
the second period goal against the Stars at Madison Square Garden. He
cemented his place in the annals of the NHL with a final period, empty
net goal with 4.7 seconds left, and sending his teammates into a
frenzied mob-state. Proper behavior above and beyond. His 2nd
place career goal scoring status is just one 2nd place
standing he owns.
He also pulls runner-up duty for Most Games Played, as well as Most
Seasons Played. Gordie Howe played 1,767 games in 26 years to Messiers
1,690 games in 25 years.
The previous accomplishments are all well and fine, but they don’t
begin to scratch the surface as to what this man has done in and for
the NHL.
He has played for 3 different teams in his NHL career. The Oilers
from 79-91. The Rangers from 91-97. And he spent a few years in
Vancouver, with the Canuck, before returning to the Rangers in 2000.
He is the only player to ever captain 2 different teams to the Stanley
Cup Championship. The 1990 Oilers. Which, when teamed with Gretzky,
was inevitable, and the beginning of 5 championships for Edmonton. And
the 1994 Rangers. He is a 2-time winner of the Hart Memorial Trophy as
the regular season MVP. Won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in
1984, as well as, 2-time winner of the Lester B. Pearson Award as the
NHL’s outstanding player. He has been a first team All-Star 4 times of
the 14 All Star games he has played in. He is 2nd all time
in playoff points with 295 and all time leader with 236 playoff games.
Whoa!
As Messier took a right wing side pass from Alexei Kovalev, he
placed a shot into the center of the vacant Stars net. He triumphantly
threw his hands to the air, as time was called by the referee, to
allow the Rangers bench to empty. Ranger’s coach and G.M. Glen Sather,
who, by the way, coached an 18-year-old Messier when he entered the
league in 1979, applauded and shouted kudos, as Messiers teammates
shot across the ice to congratulate their captain on his momentous
accomplishment.
When asked to comment, Messiers only words were, "I definitely
wanted to do it on this rink. You only have on opportunity to do
things like this."
Yeah Mike. You only live once. Enjoy. And thanks.
IS
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