Jan 13 2025
Mark Messier’s 25-year NHL career is nothing short of legendary. His tenure includes 6 Stanley Cups, 2 MVPs, and the honor of being the only player in NHL history to captain two teams to Stanley Cup Championships, along with a bevy of other accomplishments and awards.
Mark Messier is considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time. His illustrious career with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks included the following accomplishments:
Mark Messier is available to be booked for corporate and private events. He is also well-known for his keynote and motivational speaking. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Mark Messier’s fees.
Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-510-6607 to hire Mark Messier for corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.
The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.
Mark Messier’s professional hockey debut came at age 17. He played 5 games for The World Hockey Association’s Indianapolis Racers on a temporary contract. That same year, he was signed as a free agent to the Cincinnati Stingers, another WHA team. After his first professional season, the World Hockey Association merged with the NHL. Since the Stingers were not admitted into the NHL in the merger, Messier entered into the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. During the 1979 Draft, the Edmonton Oilers selected Messier with the 48th overall pick. Later in his career, Messier would become the last active player to have played in the World Hockey Association.
With the Oilers, Messier was a key member of, arguably, the most dominant hockey team ever. Together with Wayne Gretzky, the Oilers would win 4 Stanley Cups from 1984 to 1988 (1984, 1985, 1987, & 1988). Most impressive, Messier would lead the Oilers to another Stanley Cup in 1990, 2 years after Gretzky was traded. Messier also won the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP that season. Despite this, the Oilers traded Messier to the New York Rangers in 1991.
In his first season with the Rangers, Messier won his 2nd Hart Trophy and guided the team to the league’s best record that year. While they came up short in the playoffs, Messier and the Rangers were determined. During the 1993–94 season, the Rangers finished with the best record and Stanley Cup aspirations again. After victories against the New York Islanders and Washington Capitals in the first two rounds, they faced the New Jersey Devils in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With the Rangers down 3–2 in the series, Messier guaranteed a Game 6 victory. He followed his guarantee with a hat trick that erased a two-goal deficit and won Game 6 for the Rangers. Eventually, the Rangers would win the series in a thrilling double-overtime Game 7, sending them to the Stanley Cup Finals.
However, Messier’s heroics didn’t stop there. In Game 7 of the Finals, he scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal at Madison Square Garden. In doing so, he gave the Rangers their first Stanley Cup in 54 years and became the first and only player to captain two teams to Stanley Cup wins. With that victory came the 2nd of Messier’s nicknames “The Messiah” (much better than his first nickname “The Moose”).
After 3 more seasons with the Rangers, the team decided not to re-sign Messier, leading to 3 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks before he returned to the Rangers for his final 4 seasons. During this time, Messier became the last active player in any of the major North American professional sports leagues to have played in the 1970s.
The 2004-2005 NHL lockout led Messier to announce his retirement on September 12th, 2005 after 25 years in the NHL. Both the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers have since retired his #11. Following his playing career, Mark has taken on executive roles with the New York Rangers and Hockey Canada. In 2021, he also joined ESPN’s broadcast team as a lead studio analyst for NHL games.
In 2007, his first year of eligibility, Mark Messier was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Furthermore, in 2010, he was elected as an inaugural inductee into the World Hockey Association Hall of Fame. In 2009, he received the Lester Patrick Award for his outstanding contributions to hockey in the U.S. Additionally, on June 30th, 2017, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada for his contributions to hockey. Messier also awards the NHL’s Mark Messier Leadership Award, which is given to a player who exemplifies leadership on the ice and within their community. Moreover, he founded the Messier Project which developed the M-11 hockey helmet to maximize protection, particularly with concussions.
In service of those ideals, Mark also created the Mark Messier Foundation. He established this foundation with the mission to help young children become better citizens through sporting activities and healthier lifestyle opportunities. Mark is also a member of the New York Police & Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund‘s board and is an active supporter of the Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund. With Tomorrow’s Children’s Fund, he opened the Mark Messier Skyway at the Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.
Find out how to hire Mark Messier to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Mark Messier’s availability and cost. When hiring Mark Messier for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Mark Messier is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Mark Messier booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.
How much to book Mark Messier depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Mark Messier for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Mark Messier is available for conferences, festivals, private parties, and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.
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While Mark Messier is one of the most accomplished professional athletes in history, few people know how his mission to deeply understand leadership and teamwork shaped his journey.
Inspired by the lessons on leadership and teamwork that defined his career, this keynote will give you an insight into success, winning cultures, and how leaders can help teams overcome challenges. In this keynote, Mark will give you a true masterclass in leadership.
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