Mark Messier

Mark Messier at MSG when his number was retired (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Messier)

Mark Messier was born on January 18th, 1961; he was born and brought up in Edmonton, Canada. Being around the city foreshadowed what would happen later on in his life. Mark is a hockey player, and a good one at that. He started his professional career in the WHA but got drafted by Edmonton in the 1979 Entry Draft. In Edmonton he went on to win 4 Stanley Cups in the time known as the “Glory Years.” During this time the Oilers also had the best player in the history of hockey, Wayne Gretzky. Mark was one of the greatest leaders that have ever been known. He put his team in front of him.

My hero has done a lot for the game of hockey, as he was a great captain and leader. He has many stories of how he was able to show many other captains how to be a good leader. He was also an amazing player as he is 2nd all time in regular season points, 7th in goals, 3rd in assists, and 2nd all time in regular season games. An example of one of the many stories of Mark Messier; One day, Mark came into the room at the start of the season and saw two players talking to each other. Now these players have been in the league for 10 years, he came up to them and almost screamed “So what are you two talking about?” They seemed surprised, one of them replied, “Mark, we weren’t talking badly about anyone,” “Well they don’t know that!” Mark told him. He then turned to the rest of the room and said “we are a team so we talk as a team, when you say something, the entire room has to be able to hear you.” This shows the respect that Mark demanded and how he was able to bring his team together.

Mark Messier recieving the Stanely Cup in 1994 Pl (http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2007/11/13/gal_mess9.jpg)

Mark has lived in many cities as he has moved due to hockey multiple times. He now lives in New York.

Mark Messier was born on January 18th, 1961 and still lives today.

My hero is important to me because he has shown me how to become a leader and what qualities you must have to be a great leader. I also love the emotion that Mark brings to the table when it has to do with anything hockey related. I try to mold myself into the leader and person that Mark was as he was a great person and many respected him for his stories and what he demanded from his teammates. When he announced to the media “We will win tonight” in 1994. That was before my time but watching the clips and hearing about it. To do that, you had to have confidence and I admire Mark for having the confidence to do that, it was also a great move as it gave the team, as well as the city confidence that they could win.