Archive: Captain, My Captain

Once upon a time I was a hockey fan.

Then the strike hit. Hockey disappeared from the American sports scene and for the most part, evaporated from its culture. I swore I could live without hockey. There was plenty of college basketball, NBA and of course playoff football to keep me busy. After all, New York City is not exactly the culmination of the hockey world to begin with.

However, one name changed that. A name that is forever immortalized in the hearts and minds New York Ranger fans young and old. You need only refer to him as, “The Captain.” As Mark Messier’s jersey was raised to Garden ceiling it was clearly not only a special night for him and his family but for The New York Rangers and for hockey itself.

As the deafening capacity crowd of 18,200 at the world’s most famous arena thanked the man who finally delivered the elusive Stanley Cup, you could not help but think about how important Mark Messier was to the game of hockey.

Although the nearly 2,000 career points, the two MVP’s (1990, 1992) and the six Stanley Cups are incredible accomplishments, it’s the intangibles that make Messier so special.

His leadership qualities and his ability to instill confidence in players, coaches and fans alike made him an instant fan favorite in the World’s toughest city. Mark Messier is New York hockey.“

He made us believe that the Stanley Cup was our destiny," said Adam Graves, who spoke on behalf of 20 teammates from the 1994 championship team.

When that 1994 Rangers team led by Messier graced the cover of Sports Illustrated there was talk of hockey taking over the NBA as the third major sport in America.Who would have thought that a Canadian with a heavy accent would recreate hockey in the New York and help popularize the game throughout the country. His name ranks up there with the likes of LT, Derek Jeter and Joe Nameth as well as other immortal New York sports legends. He is clearly an unforgettable superstar.

Tonight, Messier returned to Madison Square Garden and for me, hockey returned to New York.

I think tonight I’ll pass up Kobe and Lebron, and watch the game that Mark Messier made me love.

Sam Rosen, the long time voice of the New York Rangers said it best, “He touched everyone, and he did it again tonight.”

Hockey is back.