a momentous rangers report...
fredeeky needs to chime in and say that mark messier is among the greatest new york athletes of my life time. a real mensch and one tough bastard, nothing was better than seeing the rangers win the 1994 stanley cup and he was the reason that happened. we all loved mark messier, but maybe none as much as barry beck:
While training camp has begun we must focus on Mark Messier's retirement yesterday after 25 years in the NHL at age 44. He is second on the all time points list to the Greatest of them all and former line mate Wayne Gretzky.
I will never forget receiving my 1991 issue of Sports Illustrated NHL Preview and reading that the Rangers were looking to bring Messier to the Rangers. Sure enough Neil Smith worked the most important deal in the team's history and two seasons after being brought to the Rangers,Messier led the Blueshirts to their first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years.
Fans quickly realized that Mark embodied the qualities that New York Sports Fans love - skill, leadership and class. There is no doubt that he is one of the most loved sports icons in New York history. His guarantee prior to game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in 1994 forever enshrined him in NY sports history lore. Falling behind the hated NJ Devils in the conference finals 3 games to 2, Messier boldly guaranteed that his team would win game 6 in New Jersey. He followed up on his promise with a hat trick to send the series to a decisive 7th game in which Stefan Matteau won in the second overtime sliding a rebound past Martin Brodeaur.
The rest is history but I'll never forget Game 7 of the Stanley Cup against Vancouver when Messier started a brilliant play which resulted in Sergi Zubov passing a one timer to Brian Leetch on the far post resulting is a beautiful goal. Mess added a goal himself which gave the Rangers the lead they would not relinquish.
There are too many great quotes by former players and personal anecdotes to include here. Thanks for the memories Mess. I am looking forward to the 12th of January when #11 is hung from the rafters in MSG. If Deeky readers are lucky enough, I'll be securing several tickets for that game vs. Edmonton today.
While training camp has begun we must focus on Mark Messier's retirement yesterday after 25 years in the NHL at age 44. He is second on the all time points list to the Greatest of them all and former line mate Wayne Gretzky.
I will never forget receiving my 1991 issue of Sports Illustrated NHL Preview and reading that the Rangers were looking to bring Messier to the Rangers. Sure enough Neil Smith worked the most important deal in the team's history and two seasons after being brought to the Rangers,Messier led the Blueshirts to their first Stanley Cup victory in 54 years.
Fans quickly realized that Mark embodied the qualities that New York Sports Fans love - skill, leadership and class. There is no doubt that he is one of the most loved sports icons in New York history. His guarantee prior to game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals in 1994 forever enshrined him in NY sports history lore. Falling behind the hated NJ Devils in the conference finals 3 games to 2, Messier boldly guaranteed that his team would win game 6 in New Jersey. He followed up on his promise with a hat trick to send the series to a decisive 7th game in which Stefan Matteau won in the second overtime sliding a rebound past Martin Brodeaur.
The rest is history but I'll never forget Game 7 of the Stanley Cup against Vancouver when Messier started a brilliant play which resulted in Sergi Zubov passing a one timer to Brian Leetch on the far post resulting is a beautiful goal. Mess added a goal himself which gave the Rangers the lead they would not relinquish.
There are too many great quotes by former players and personal anecdotes to include here. Thanks for the memories Mess. I am looking forward to the 12th of January when #11 is hung from the rafters in MSG. If Deeky readers are lucky enough, I'll be securing several tickets for that game vs. Edmonton today.
posted by fredeeky at
12:03 PM
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