Home > Mark Messier

Even though Messier ranks 2nd on the All-Time Scoring List with 1,887 points (694 goals + 1,193 assists), his greatness will always be measured in terms of playoff achievements (as opposed to regular season statistics). In Game 3 of the 1984 Finals, for example, with his Edmonton Oilers trailing the mighty New York Islanders by a goal, Messier ignited a comeback by beating an opposing defenseman one-on-one and then burning the goalie with a wicked wristshot to the short side. By series' end, it was he and not Wayne Gretzky who won Playoff MVP honors.

The birth of Mark Messier The Legend took place a decade later, as a member of the Rangers, in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. A game away from elimination, Messier confronted the New York media and publicly guaranteed a Game 6 victory. Knowing full well the implications of his remarks, he backed up his promise by scoring a natural hat trick (three consecutive goals) in the third period. The Rangers went on to win the series and the Stanley Cup--their first in 54 years--and effectively put New Yorkers in a frenzy in the process. From that moment on, Messier was indelibly etched in sports history.

Hockey flowed in Messier's blood. Father Doug, who never made the NHL himself, was his coach and mentor in the early years. Mark's brother Paul was a center for the now-defunct Colorado Rockies; cousins Mitch and Joby also skated for NHL clubs.

He has a son, Lyon, by an ex-girlfriend, who is developing into a solid young hockey player. His current girlfriend, Kim Clark, gave Mark his second son, Douglas Paul, on July 15, 2003.

Said former defenseman Ric Nattress, "Big. Strong. Fast. Great shot. Physical. Mean. Durable. Great leader. What else could you possibly ask for in any individual? Twenty years ago when he broke into this league, 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."

Achievements

• 1982- NHL First All-Star Team
• 1982- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1983- NHL First All-Star Team
• 1983- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1984This page is about the year 1984. For other uses of 1984, see 1984 (disambiguation). 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday (link shows calendar). Events January January 1 Brunei becomes a fully independent state January 1 AT&T is broken up into 22 indepe- NHL Second All-Star Team
• 1984- Conn Smythe TrophyThe Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The winner is chosen by the vote of members of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association and is not necessarily a member of
• 1984- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 19861986 is a common year starting on Wednesday. Events January January 1 Spain and Portugal enter the European Community January 1 Aruba gains increased autonomy from the Netherlands and is separated from the Netherlands Antilles. January 9 After losing a pa- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 19881988 is a leap year starting on Friday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 2 Georgia celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 9 Connecticut celebrates its bicentennial statehood. January 26 Australia celebrates its bicentennial day.- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 19891989 is a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). Events January January 7 Akihito becomes Emperor of Japan following the death of Hirohito. The Heisei period begins January 8 the Kegworth Air Disaster A British Midland Boeing 737 cra- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1990Events January January 3 Former leader of Panama Manuel Noriega surrenders to American forces. January 7 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public due to safety concerns. January 9 Lt Gen Bazilio Olara Okello The man who led the coup aginst Dr Apo- NHL First All-Star Team
• 1990- Lester B. Pearson AwardThe Lester B. Pearson Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League's outstanding player in the regular season, as judged by members of the NHL Players Association (NHLPA). The award is named in honour of Lester B. Pearson, Prime Minister of Can
• 1990- Hart Trophy
• 1990- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1991- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1992- NHL First All-Star Team
• 1992- Lester B. Peason Award
• 1992- Hart Trophy
• 1992- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1994- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1996- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1997- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 1998- Played in NHL All-Star Game
• 2000- Played in NHL All-Star Game