OPORTS The Captain By Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor MESSER a a * As young kid in the quiet suburb of Scarborough, the win- tertime always magnified the excitement of the hockey sea- son. By this time in January, the snow packed side streets provided the ideal conditions for a good after school street hockey game among the neighbourhood kids. We would slap on layers of heavy sweatshirts and pants on top of our full body long johns, lace up our boots, stuff our fingers in our gloves, and grab our hockey sticks. Despite the teeth chattering cold and the cheek numb- ing winds, there would be 15 or more kids crowding the icy asphalt street imitating their favorite hockey stars. One of the names that was always taken first was a guy by the name of Mark Messier. Even though I never knew what he actually looked like, I knew he was the #11 on the blue and orange jersey of the Edmonton Oilers...and he was good. Well, on Thursday, January 12, 2006, in front of an appreciative Madison Square Gardens (MSG) crowd, the New York Rangers retired the jersey of Mark Messier. The six-time Stanley cup winner, two-time leading scorer, two- time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and 16-time All-Star and 25-year veteran of the NHL was emotional as “/ Celebration of The Captain” ceremonies unfolded. As one of the biggest sports icons Edmonton had ever produced, Messier created a legacy within the Oilers fran- chise alongside his talented teammates, Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey. “We had a lot of great players, and he was the heart and soul of that club,” said Rangers' General Manager Glen Sather, Messier's first NHL coach in Edmonton. “One of the toughest decisions I had to make was when we traded him to New York from Edmonton,” he continued. The October 4, 1991, trade to the New York Rangers for Bernie Nicholls, Steven Rice, and Louie Debrusk was instigated at the request of Messier. At the age of 30, Messier wanted a new challenge. “You have to under- stand...when I was 30 years old, I was ready for just about anything that anybody could throw at me,” said Messier during his Wednesday afternoon press conference. “I was ready for the challenge of winning another Stanley Cup.” And he did just that. In 1994, after a 54-year drought in Rangers' history, Mark Messier led New York to a Stanley Cup victory and won over some of the toughest fans in the world in New York City by breaking “The Curse.” “T remember saying to myself as the crowd roared when I was introduced as captain before my first home game as a Ranger, 'I will die trying to bring the Stanley Cup to the fans of New York.’ And with that Ovation on opening night, a relationship began with you that I will never forget and I will cherish forever.” Judging from the response from the “Garden Faithful,” it was evident the love the people of New York had for mclennonb@douglas.bc.ca Mark Messier hasn't lessened. Fans poured in the MSG in droves, filling its 18,000 seats to the brink, as the ceremony was the hottest ticket in town. “God Bless you, MESS!” one fan wrote on a sign as his jersey ascended to the rafters of immorality. The outpour of emotion happened well before the on-ice ceremony ever began. On the New York Rangers official website, they had “11 Days of Messier” with clips, articles, and highlights of his illustrious career. Farewell wishes jammed networks as over 400 emails were posted to “The Captain.” “He was one of my favorite players growing up,” said current NHL superstar and Calgary Flames' captain, Jarome Iginla. Iginla was fortunate to witness Messier win five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. “T watched him a lot of him,” Iginla remembers. Even though Iginla had the opportunity to play against Messier near the end of his career, he remembers the veteran as being “very intense and physical.” “He didn't put up with too much from anybody. Whether you were a big guy or a small guy, you didn't get away with anything,” Iginla recalls about “The Captain.” Messier has always been known for his tough-looking demeanor, with the square jaw line, shaved head, and cold dark eyes. His long-running and popular commercials with Lays potato chips have made Messier an even bigger house- hold name. His signature laugh was made famous by the commercial where an intimidating Messier loses a bet with a young fan that dares Messier by saying, “Betcha just can't have one.” Well, the same can be said about Messier's career, one was never enough. His success, professionalism, and charis- ma are unmatched and unparalleled. He has been to the pinnacle of Champions and Heroes...farewell to The Captain. UPCOMING GAMES Upcoming Games January 18, 2006 Fri. Jan. 20 Volleyball vs. Camosun (New West,BC) Women: 6pm, Men: 7:30pm Basketball @ Camosun (Victoria, BC) Women: 6:30pm, Men: 8:15pm Badminton Capilano Tournament (North Vancouver, BC) All Day Wrestling Clackamus Open (Clackamus, Or) All Day Sat. Jan. 21 Volleyball vs. Camosun (New West,BC) Women: 6pm, Men:7:30pm Basketball @ Camosun (Victoria, BC) Women: 6:30pm, Men: 8:15pm Badminton Capilano Tournament (North Vancouver, BC) All Day Wrestling Clackamus Open (Clackamus, Or) All Day