The Passing of an Era

Last night was the retirement ceremony at Edmonton’s Rexall Place arena for Mark (“Moose”) Messier, the greatest leader in hockey history. Second all-time in games played. Second all-time in points scored. Six Stanley Cup rings. First player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup victories.

Fans of Mark’s second team, the New York Rangers, called him the Messiah as they believed that he was the promised one who would end their four decades of futility and finally bring a Stanley Cup to Manhattan. He did, but hopefully New York fans understand that a player who was called the Messiah because he won one Cup for them must naturally be held in even higher esteem by fans in Edmonton where he grew up and won five Cups.

The retirement ceremony couldn’t have been more perfect. Well, that’s not quite right. It would have been perfect if the Oilers hadn’t traded away Ryan Smyth, their current heart-and-soul, hours before for two marginal prospects, a low first round draft pick, used hockey bag, and dozen pucks. But that’s another story.

Moose skated onto the ice in full equipment and hoisted the Stanley Cup for a crowd that seemed to cherish him more than ever. More than anything else, Moose was known for winning Cups. Correction: doing whatever was necessary and more in order to win Cups. So to see him skating one last time with the most cherished symbol in professional sports was absolutely perfect.

Messier was my favorite player when I was growing up. He turned pro when I was 11 years old, became an NHL’er when I was 12 years old, and won his first Cup when I turned 17 years old. He and his Oilers teammates were a huge part of my youth so this trip to Edmonton to celebrate the end of an era was priceless. And perfect.