Happy 53rd birthday, Mark Messier
Hockey legend Mark Messier turns 53 on Saturday. Drafted 48th overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 1979, the National Hockey League's second leading all-time scorer retired back in 2004, leaving a trail of memorable moments and honourable distinctions in his wake.
Here's a look at a few of those achievements:
- 1,887 career regular season points - 694 goals, 1193 assists
- 295 career playoff points - 109 goals, 186 assists
- Six Stanley Cup victories
- Two Hart Trophies
- Two Lester B. Pearson Awards
- Only player to serve as captain on two Stanley Cup champions
The Oilers also made this career retrospective that features several reasons why the NHL has since created the Mark Messier Award for Leadership.
Messier recently confirmed his role as an advisor with the Oilers, and word is he's looking to become a general manager at some point, attempting to further his hockey legacy from a different angle.
Happy Birthday, Mess; we promise we won't cry.