Moose Fest
I can't wait. Only two days until I fly from Minneapolis to Edmonton. Now that kind of a trip in February isn't normally a cause for celebration, but this trip will be because the occasion at the other end will be a celebration. On Tuesday, the Edmonton Oilers will retire the number 11 jersey of Mark Messier. Moose, as he's affectionately known to his fans, was one of the finest hockey players ever and an integral part of the 1980's Edmonton Oilers dynasty. That team had five of the greatest players ever to play the game: Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, and Grant Fuhr.
My favorite Moose story came from the year that my hometown Winnipeg Jets finished fourth in the regular season, a true accomplishment in a 21 team league. In their same division were the Oilers, which finished first, and Calgary, which finished second or third. As a result, the Jets had the misfortune of having to play the Oilers in the first round. First game, opening faceoff: Messier against Dale ("Ducky") Hawerchuk, captain of the Jets. They line up. Moose glares at Ducky. Moose tells Ducky that if he touches the puck, Moose will rip out his lungs. Moose wins the faceoff and the Oilers win the series four games to zip.
My friend, Ian Grosney, and I will be in Edmonton to witness the passing of an era and to celebrate the career of one of the finest power forwards the NHL has ever seen. A man who refused to lose and ended his career with six Stanley Cup rings, most valuable player awards, international hockey championships, multiple scoring records, and the admiration of virtually every fan of the fastest game ever invented.
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