Tue., February 27, 7:00 PM MSTTV: Sportsnet
Worth the risk!
Messier's career was a gamble, he says, because he was a late bloomer
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By BROOKES MERRITT, SUN MEDIA
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He won five Stanley Cups with the Oilers and became the king of New York when he promised the Rangers their first Cup in 54 years, and delivered.
Yet Mark Messier says his pro hockey career began as a gamble. He admits he was a mediocre player who didn't really blossom until his junior years.
Any of the 1,000 Edmontonians who attended the city celebration honouring Messier at Churchill Square yesterday would scoff at the notion.
"But it's true,"Messier said. "I was drafted the Oilers' third pick in the fourth round. Dozens of guys had gone before me.
"I was probably a gamble." If he was a gamble, it was the best one the Oilers franchise ever took, team chairman Cal Nichols told the shivering crowd, as they drooled over highlight reels of Messier's most memorable plays.
Yet Mark Messier says his pro hockey career began as a gamble. He admits he was a mediocre player who didn't really blossom until his junior years.
Any of the 1,000 Edmontonians who attended the city celebration honouring Messier at Churchill Square yesterday would scoff at the notion.
"But it's true,"Messier said. "I was drafted the Oilers' third pick in the fourth round. Dozens of guys had gone before me.
"I was probably a gamble." If he was a gamble, it was the best one the Oilers franchise ever took, team chairman Cal Nichols told the shivering crowd, as they drooled over highlight reels of Messier's most memorable plays.
"The history he created with this team will probably never be repeated. Mark is the best hockey player Edmonton has ever produced," Nichols said.
"He made the Oilers legendary and helped bring the franchise to greatness - especially when he ran around town taking the Cup to all the local bars and restaurants."
The crowd cheered "Moose, Moose, Moose!" as Messier crossed the stage, accepted a memorial plaque from Mayor Stephen Mandel and shed a tear as the Mark Messier Trail road sign was unveiled to a backdrop of fireworks.
"I can't think of a better way to be honoured," Messier said of the portion of St. Albert Trail between 137 Avenue and the city border rebranded in his honour. "St. Albert Trail was my link to Edmonton during all the years I lived here."
"He made the Oilers legendary and helped bring the franchise to greatness - especially when he ran around town taking the Cup to all the local bars and restaurants."
The crowd cheered "Moose, Moose, Moose!" as Messier crossed the stage, accepted a memorial plaque from Mayor Stephen Mandel and shed a tear as the Mark Messier Trail road sign was unveiled to a backdrop of fireworks.
"I can't think of a better way to be honoured," Messier said of the portion of St. Albert Trail between 137 Avenue and the city border rebranded in his honour. "St. Albert Trail was my link to Edmonton during all the years I lived here."
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