Talking with Mark Messier

Mark Messier is a New York sports hero; he was an integral part and team captain of the New York Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory in 1994–the only one in the last 71 hockey seasons. He also achieved greatness as a key member of five Edmonton Oilers’ Stanley Cup winners.

I focused on his Oilers’ glory when interviewing the very gracious hockey great after a game between Russian and American All Stars held February 15th to aid hockey diplomacy.

I asked Mark about the Oilers’ Cup victory in 1990 and he cited the pride and hard work of the players who persevered and won it all in just the second season after Wayne Gretzky had been traded from the Oilers. It is a very big accomplishment to Mark and one that fills him with great pride.

Next, Mark talked about the Oilers’ first Stanley Cup victory in 1984 when Edmonton dethroned the four time Stanley Cup Champion Islanders. Mark said “we had great respect for the Islanders” and we both agreed Game 3, the first of three straight Oilers’ wins to clinch the Cup was pivotal. Mark’s incredible hard work turned the series irrevocably in the Oilers’ favor.

Messier recounted the Oilers’ close win in game one at Long Island and said “The Islanders had beaten us pretty badly in game 2 so we were truly focused in game three at home.”

As O.A. “Bum” Phillips once said attempting to rank the great running back Earl Campbell, likewise I do not know if Mark Messier is the greatest hockey player ever, but it sure does not take long to call the roll (regarding his name.)

It was an honor speaking with the gracious Messier, a member of six Stanley Cup Champions.