New York Rangers legend speaks out on this generation of players

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Jim
July 13, 2024 (11:08 PM)

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The media in hockey, especially the Canadian market, is brutal. Most players fold under the pressure and fall apart in big moments. However, this NHL veteran instead embraced the pressure and won championships while playing better because of it.

Mark Messier, former New York Ranger and six-time Stanley Cup champion, was on the Spittin' Chiclets podcast and talked about the Canadian media during his time with the Edmonton Oilers and the pressure it came with.

Because of that there was this kind of really deep feeling that 'We gotta make this happen somehow' we're right on the brink of winning something special not only to us but also to the people here»

Messier then described how the Oiler fans helped him and the team to five Stanley Cups, giving them a confidence boost.

"Because of the 5 years that we went on this journey together, and I always say that we went on the journey together and it is true, as a team and organization if you're not walking that line together with your fan base and using that energy that they can provide, the expectations, the pressure, I think that can really benefit a team»

He then said that you're doomed if you win, doomed if you play good, doomed if you played bad. You're going to hear about it either way. Mark then said that if you can't withstand the pressure, you shouldn't be playing in the Canadian market.

«It matters if you win, it matters if you don't play good, you hear about it if you don't play good. If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen»

Messier then went on to talk about how it takes a special player to take in all the madness of the media, and that those players normally end up to be the stars.

«That's just part of professional hockey when you're trying to get to the elite level and not everybody is made for it. A lot of players can play in the league but not everyone can play on a team that is expected to win»