Once dubbed the, “Boys On The Bus”, this core group of elite Oiler’s have not been together since winning their fourth cup in five years during the 1988 NHL season. Just week’s later Wayne Gretzky was traded to LA and the rest is hockey history.
Saturday November 22, 2003 is a very exciting day for those of us who grew up watching the Great One as an Edmonton Oiler. He was awesome then and I have no doubt he will be awesome again in this historic outdoor alumni game.
Apparently active NHL-er Mark Messier will play and I think this is a good thing. These events do not happen every day and we all know Mark should have retired long ago. He will be in similar company, not leagues ahead of others in the line up.
Both Number 11 and Number 99 are considered the greatest leaders in any dressing room, though in very different ways. Wayne leads with few words and lots of example. He works hard every shift, no matter the importance of the game. This makes those he plays with disappointed in themselves if they do not do the same. Players want to excel for Wayne. On the other hand, I believe Mark’s formidable presence in any dressing room, is mistakenly praised as leadership, when really his teammates are just afraid for their lives when he begins to focus on their play. It is no secret that he has physically pummeled them for not performing.
Interesting that Mark himself has not performed in any remarkable way since the 1994 Stanley Cup win in New York. But, the greatest trouble I have with considering Mark Messier a true leader is trademark behavior after a game. He is the one New York Ranger who never shows his face to fans after a game nor will he sign a free autograph.
On an objective note, I do think there is a fitting reason for Mark to join in the game. Both players have been the “Only One’s”, to usurp the “First One’s “, stunning record of 1850 NHL career points. Mark still has some distance to go to pass Gordie Howe’s WHA-NHL total, but none-the-less, Gretzky and Messier, as NHL scoring machines are number one and number two respectfully.
This photo is from when Wayne broke Gordie Howe's record. It was touching then and even more-so now.
Apparently, Wayne will not be wearing his signature Jofa helmet but not because he has jumped ship. Since he doesn’t expect to be hit, he isn’t wearing one at all. If this is so, and there is no hitting, the Great One should score 25 points which alone is reason enough to watch. Along with Mark Messier, number 99 will join Kevin Lowe, Dave Lumley, Jari Kurri, Grant Furh, Paul Coffey, and Glenn Anderson as they take on Guy Lefleur and the Montreal Canadians Alumni gang.
Wayne admits this is a special opportunity for him. Youngest son Tristan has never seen him play a hockey game, and many of his friends have never seen him in an Oiler game uniform. In fact, Wayne said it was the first time ever that mother Phyllis asked him to get tickets for her.
Regardless, he seems adamant that this is his first and last old-timer’s game so if you are a fan, tune in to CBC’s coverage of the Heritage Classic, which begins Saturday, November 22, at 3:00 pm Edmonton time.
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