Mark Messier: 1978-2005
Last week the inevitable happened, but oh well it had to happen sometime, Mark Messier retired from the NHL. The Moose was one of the game's greatest leaders and was the last remaining player from the now defunct WHA which ran from 1972-1979. He was the last of the championship Edmonton Oilers and led the Rangers to their first cup in some 55 or so years. I remember feeling lowly, i was out of school in 1993-1994, working and delivering pizzas for Tony Montana and just not with it. Want to know something that inspired me? Messier going on national television and claiming outright that the Rangers would beat New Jersey. Now why is that an inspiration, cause Messier was dead serious, a natural leader that made good on his promises. He is one of the fiercest, most determined, and most emotional leaders the sports world has ever seen, establishing a larger-than-life persona for himself with jaw-dropping clutch performances. He holds the distinction of being the only man ever to captain two different franchises to Stanley Cup championships; he won 6 championships in total. Mark Messier was the prototype for a franchise player. And he'll continue to be the prototype. Today, tomorrow and a hundred years from now."