The New York Rangers Retire Mark Messier's 11

Mark Messier was never about statistics. Rather, his style throughout his 25 year career was about the intangibles that can never be measured - emotion, passion and later in his career pure leadership. The Ranger faithful will have a chance to show their gratitude one last time. Before 'Mess' arrived, the Rangers had been starving for a Stanley Cup last won in 1940. The drought ended in 1994 under his guidance.

Drafted in 1979 by the Glen Sather and the Edmonton Oilers in the 2nd round (48th overall) out of St.Albert Jr. A, Messier was one of many key components to the Oiler dynasties in the 1980s that included the under rated Glenn Anderson, Paul Coffey, Kevin Lowe, Charlie Huddy, Grant Fuhr, Jari Kurri and Wayne Gretzky. Messier played in 1756 games and scored 694 goals, added 1193 assists for a total of 1887 points. Impressive numbers but not dominant (please see Gretzky and Lemieux). While it took him less games to reach 1850 to pass Gordie Howe for second all-time, Messier's career never quite matched the utter dominance of Howe.

Messier helped the Oilers to 5 Stanley Cups and the Rangers to their first in 54 years. He won the Hart Memorial Trophy for the most valuable trophy in 1992 with the Rangers and in 1990 with the Oilers. He was also runner-up to Mario Lemieux in 1996. In 1984, he won the Conn Smythe trophy for the most valuable player in the playoffs with the Oilers. Though he was instrumental in the Rangers victory in 1994, Brian Leetch won the Conn Smythe honors that year.

But enough about that. Over the next couple of days we will be hearing how Messier is the greatest leader (or among the short list anyway) in the history of the NHL - maybe in North American pro sports. The tendency to use hyperbole is always at its greatest when emotions are involved as Keith Olbermann seemed to confirm on the Dan Patrick Show when he compared Messier to Babe Ruth - which is absolutely ludicrous and ridiculous; riludcrious.

Only Gretzky can be compared to Ruth. In fact, some have suggested he was the greatest Ranger ever - of course they conveniently overlooked Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle, Brad Park, Andy Bathgate and Ed Giacomin. To understand Messier's career in proper context, his career can be divided into two segments - his Oiler years and the post-Oiler years with the Rangers.

Since his years with the Rangers remains - thanks to the New York media machine - fresh in everyone's mind, the temptation to transmit and project his play during these years for his entire career distorts the reality. We should all re-watch the Oiler years carefully. He was not the leader of the Oilers; Wayne Gretzky was. 99 was clearly the most influential and dominant athlete of not only his sport but arguably in all of North American professional sports. Anyone who would suggest otherwise that the Oilers were not lead by him (or worse he was over rated) need to get their selective mind examined by a neurologist. Anyway, don't believe me. Ask any Albertan.

Messier seized the reign of leadership after Gretzky was traded to Los Angeles in 1988. It is during this period the roots of the Messier leadership legend were sown. It matured during the New York era. There is no doubt that in the 1990s, Messier was not only a premier hockey player but the single most important force to his club. It's safe to say or argue that he was among the greatest leaders during the 90s. Again, we have to recall that Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic and of course Wayne Gretzky were great leaders too.

Mark Messier was a joy to watch - especially in the 80s for me. Hockey players that combined size and skill to his level are rare. I was in my youthful prime and the Oilers were the world's greatest hockey team. Not even the legendary Habs, the powerful Flyers, arch bitter rivals Flames or the then-recent dynasty Islanders were able to dethrone them for any significant amount of time. His signature shot off the fly with one leg up remains a distinct piece of hockey folklore - A signature move the Soviets studied and emulated.

With his career over and his number retired in the great NYC, Messier always seemed to me to be the perfect character in a Hollywood movie that a screenwriter could build a sports story around. His physical and facial expressions are definitive and expressive. Might I suggest Willem Dafoe to play his role?