Mark D. Messier

Mark celebrates with Sir Stanley's cup

A hero is a man or woman that is a courageous figure in a person’s life. In my opinion a hero isn’t like Batman or Robin it is someone that I look up to and that inspires me. Mr. Mark Douglas Messier is my hero. Mark Messier was a professional hockey player in the NHL. NHL stands for National Hockey League. Hockey is a very dangerous sport and it takes a lot of skill and courage to be a hockey player. Mark Messier is a daring man.

Mark wore the number 11 on all of the teams he played on. He played for the Oilers, Cannucks, and the New York Rangers. The last team he played on was the Rangers. Mark was a very determined player and he loved to win the Stanley cup like he did in 1994. Just a few years ago his legendary number was retired and he was inducted into the hall of fame. Mark messier contributed a great deal into the National Hockey League.

Mark Messier’s nickname, "the Moose," is a tribute to his size, strength and determination. A player renowned for his leadership abilities and one of the all time leading NHL scorers. He was the second all-time leading scorer in NHL history. He was the only NHL player to captain two different Stanley Cup winners: 1994 Rangers and 1990 Oilers. He was a member of five Oilers' teams that won the Stanley Cup. He is a two-time winner of Hart Memorial Trophy as regular-season MVP. Mark won the 1984 Conn Smythe Trophy as Playoff MVP and won the Lester B. Pearson Award as NHL's outstanding player twice. Mark was also a four-time first team All Star and played in 14 NHL All Star games.

Not only was Mark Messier a great hockey player, but he has been deeply involved with the Tomorrow’s Children's Fund for the past 15 years. Mark has been to the hospital numerous times to visit children who are undergoing treatment for cancer or serious blood disorders. He sits with the children for hours, takes pictures and oftentimes he autograph's a hockey sticks or provides them with hockey memorabilia for a keepsake. The children are always lifted or revived by his presence. Because of Mark Messier's commitment, Tomorrow’s Children's Fund has named the "The Mark Messier Skyway for Tomorrows Children," in his honor at the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. He is the first athlete ever to receive an honor of this kind.

A hero is someone who you look up to and who you want to follow in their footsteps. Mark Messier is my hero. He has not only been a legendary hockey player but he has helped many sick children in their time of need. When he goes to the hospital to visit the children, he lifts their spirits. I would like to do that one day, I want to make a difference like he did and still does. Though I may never be a determined professional hockey player, I could still make people rejoice with happiness and good health.