'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Oilers legend Mark Messier reveals his dad's hilarious response to comparison with Wayne Gretzky
Mark Messier was one of the best hockey players to ever play for the Edmonton Oilers. He was prolific and successful, and that always brings about comparisons to other legends. One such legend is often Wayne Gretzky, who is considered by many to be the measuring stick.
When Messier was 15 years old, he played for his father in junior hockey. He was undersized and didn't skate well, and he didn't think he'd make the team at all.
He said on the "Spittin' Chiclets" podcast:
"My first year in junior hockey... One day during practice, I was going with my dad, who was driving because I didn't have a driver's license. I asked him, 'Hey, Dad, do you think Wayne Gretzky is way better than me?' My dad goes like, 'On what exit do we turn out?'"
Messier's father didn't even dignify that question with a response, refusing to allow it to break his focus on driving. Little did Messier's father know that one day, the NHL player would have more Stanley Cup wins than Gretzky.
Mark Messier's former team couldn't make history in 2024
Mark Messier won the Stanley Cup Finals six times in his illustrious career, which was played primarily for the Edmonton Oilers and New York Rangers. He drew a massive cheer at Game 4 in Edmonton, which happened to be the first game the Oilers won in the Finals.
They had lost the first three games against the Florida Panthers, but they began to channel the winning nature of Messier and forced a Game 7. They played well in the three games prior and put pressure on Florida.
However, Connor McDavid and his teammates couldn't add to the trophy room for Edmonton, which already has many trophies from Messier himself. Despite their best efforts, they lost 2-1 on the road and allowed Florida to win its first NHL title.
They will try to recoup and follow in Messier's footsteps in 2024-25, but it will be hard to absorb such a tough, disheartening loss and make it back to the same place again.
Trending
