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Mark Messier Career
Mark Messier is one of the most accomplished players in NHL history. He played 25 seasons in the league, winning six Stanley Cups and setting numerous records along the way.
He also had a successful career in the WHA, winning two championships. Here’s a look at the life and career of this hockey legend.
In this blog we will take a close look at Mark Messier Career.
Early Life and Education
Mark Messier was born on January 18, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta. He began his career with the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in 1977.
The following year, he was drafted by the Indianapolis Racers of the World Hockey Association (WHA). After two seasons with the Racers, the Edmonton Oilers signed him as a free agent.
Messier spent the next 17 years of his career with the Oilers, helping them win five Stanley Cup championships. He became the team’s captain in 1991 and led them to their fourth Stanley Cup victory in 1992.
In 1997, he was traded to the New York Rangers, where he spent six seasons. He helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994, their first championship in 54 years.
Messier retired from playing in 2004 and was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time and holds numerous NHL records, including the most points and assists by a centreman.
Start of career
Mark Messier’s career in the NHL spanned 25 years, from 1979 to 2004. He began his career with the Edmonton Oilers, then played for the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks. He also played in the World Hockey Association (WHA) for the Indianapolis Racers and Cincinnati Stingers.
Messier began playing organized hockey at age six. He played minor hockey for the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA). In 1977–78, his last year of junior hockey, he scored 99 goals and 139 assists for 238 points in 70 games with the Saints.
The following season, Messier joined the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA. He appeared in only four games with the Racers before they folded. He then signed with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL.
Peak of career
Messier’s best years in the NHL were arguably during his time with the Edmonton Oilers from 1979 to 1991. He was a member of the Oilers’ dynasty that won five Stanley Cups in seven seasons, including four straight from 1984 to 1987. Messier was the captain of the Oilers for their final two Stanley Cup wins in 1990 and 1991.
During his time with the Oilers, Messier established himself as one of the best players in the league. He was a six-time All-Star and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1989–90.
He also won the Lester B. Pearson Award (now known as the Ted Lindsay Award) as the NHL’s most outstanding player three times (1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90).
In 1992, Messier left Edmonton to join the New York Rangers, where he played for 12 seasons. He helped lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup win in 54 years in 1994.
He was named captain of the Rangers in October 1991 and remained captain until his retirement in 2005. He is still revered by Rangers fans today as one of the greatest players in franchise history.
Messier finished his career with the Vancouver Canucks, where he played for two seasons (1997–98 and 1998–99). He retired after the 2003–04 season with 1,887 points in 1,756 games played.
He is one of only four players to score 1,000 points with two different teams (the others are Wayne Gretzky, Marcel Dionne and Bernie Nicholls).
Accomplishments
Messier is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He is second on the NHL’s all-time list in regular season points (1,887) and is the only player to reach the 1,850-point plateau.
He is third on the NHL’s all-time list in playoff points (295). He is also the only player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup championships.
In 2007, Messier was included in the Hockey Hall of Fame. His jersey number (11) has been retired by both the Oilers and Rangers. He was named among the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history In 2017.
Awards and records
Messier is one of the most popular players in NHL history. He was a six-time All-Star and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1989–90. He also won the Lester B.
Pearson Award (now known as the Ted Lindsay Award) as the NHL’s most outstanding player three times (1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90). he was included in the Hockey Hall of Fame. His jersey number (11) has been retired by both the Oilers and Rangers.
Messier’s individual awards and accomplishments include:
-6 time NHL All-Star
-NHL MVP (1989-90)
-3 time Lester B. Pearson Award winner (1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90)
-Hart Memorial Trophy (1989-90)
-Conn Smythe Trophy (1984)
-2 time Stanley Cup champion (1990, 1994)
-Stanley Cup Finals MVP (1984)
-‘The Triple Gold Club’ member
Death
Death is the end of life. Messier died on January 18, 1961. He was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and was six years old when he began playing organized hockey.
He played minor hockey for the St. Albert Saints of the Alberta Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA). In 1977–78, his last year of junior hockey, he scored 99 goals and 139 assists for 238 points in 70 games with the Saints.
The following season, Messier joined the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA. He appeared in only four games with the Racers before they folded. He then signed with the Edmonton Oilers of the NHL.
Messier’s best years in the NHL were during his time with the Edmonton Oilers from 1979 to 1991. He was a member of the Oilers’ dynasty that won five Stanley Cups in seven seasons, including four straight from 1984 to 1987.
Messier was the captain of the Oilers for their final two Stanley Cup wins in 1990 and 1991.
During his time with the Oilers, Messier established himself as one of the best players in the league. He was a six-time All-Star and won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1989–90.
He also won the Lester B. Pearson Award (now known as the Ted Lindsay Award) as the NHL’s most outstanding player three times (1985–86, 1987–88, 1989–90).
In 1992, Messier left Edmonton to join the New York Rangers, where he played for 12 seasons. He helped lead the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup win in 54 years in 1994.