Thursday, January 12, 2006
Praising Mess
After a long and illustrious career, Mark Messier will have his number no. 11 retired tonight to the Madison Square Garden rafters:
Maybe it was because Mess spent a mostly forgettable three seasons in Vancouver, but I don't think anyone from the Canucks organization will be present at the ceremony. Nevertheless, while the Canucks didn't experience much on-ice success during his stint here, his contributions to the team should still be acknowledged.All the memories were staring him in his face. His personal life intertwined with his professional world.
The NHL lockout that cancelled all of last season made the gap from his last game to this day nearly two years wide. Still, it hurt to actually say goodbye.
Once the league was back on its feet, Messier announced on a conference call that it would go on without him. He called it a ''young man's game'' and said he was happy and content with his decision to move on in his life.
Four months later, he was back in the Garden ready for a two-day party that will culminate Thursday in a pre-game ceremony before the Rangers face the Edmonton Oilers.
Blueshirt Bulletin has photos from yesterday's press conference and Hockeybird has full coverage of tonight's festivities.
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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.
Technorati Tags: NHL, hockey, New+York, Rangers, Mark+Messier
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