What was the dynamic of the early Edmonton Oilers team with Wayne Gretzky?

The early Edmonton Oilers, including Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky, were an incredibly talented team that free agency would not permit today. Gretzky's exceptional talent and drive, combined with strong team chemistry, put Edmonton on the map.

How did Mark Messier's upbringing influence his hockey career?

Mark Messier started playing organized hockey at age six in Portland, Oregon, where his father started minor hockey programs. He played multiple sports, which he believes fostered broader athletic ability, before specializing in hockey around age 14-15 after a growth spurt.

What key lesson did the 1983 Stanley Cup Final loss to the Islanders teach the Oilers?

The 1983 Stanley Cup Final loss to the New York Islanders, where the Oilers were swept in four games, was a crucial lesson in humility. It highlighted the need for much better defensive hockey and the ability to quickly counter opponents' strategies, realizing they were 'playing checkers' while the Islanders were 'playing chess'.

How did the Edmonton Oilers react to Wayne Gretzky's trade in 1988?

The trade of Wayne Gretzky in 1988 was devastating for both the players and fans. However, the team, under Messier's emerging leadership, quickly focused on their responsibilities to each other, the team, and the city, ultimately winning another Stanley Cup in 1990 without Gretzky.

What was Mark Messier's 'guaranteed victory' promise with the New York Rangers?

Before Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals against the New Jersey Devils, with the Rangers down 3-2, Mark Messier boldly promised a victory. This was an intentional move to instill confidence in his teammates, knowing they would read it in the morning papers, ultimately leading to a Game 6 win and an overtime Game 7 victory.

How did Mark Messier develop his leadership skills throughout his career?

Messier's leadership evolved from early lessons watching his father coach and Wayne Gretzky's mental preparation. He learned from successes and failures, building confidence in his decisions for the team and understanding the importance of personal conduct and team chemistry.

What was Mark Messier's philosophy regarding being 'in the zone' during games?

Mark Messier didn't believe being 'in the zone' was mere chance. He viewed it as a deep level of concentration, mixed with thorough preparation, unwavering belief, and repetitive skill practice, all coming together at a specific time.

How does Mark Messier stay in shape during retirement?

Mark Messier's current exercise routine is flexible, including weightlifting, cardio (like occasional skating or running a marathon), and yoga. He found that working out, even for 20 minutes, makes him feel more awake, alive, and energized.

How does Mark Messier approach coaching his son in hockey?

Messier coaches his 16-year-old son, Douglas, acknowledging the unique journey of a professional player's child. He focuses on guiding his son through self-exploration and understanding the discipline required, emphasizing that the path will be defined by his son, not by him.

What principles of winning does Mark Messier believe still apply in modern hockey?

Messier believes the principles of winning remain the same, emphasizing deep emotional connection and galvanizing as a team. He cites the St. Louis Blues' recent Stanley Cup win as an example, showcasing that while the window for dominance is shorter, emotional connection can lead to victory.

What is the Mark Messier Foundation?

The Mark Messier Foundation focuses on creating access and opportunity for kids who lack the financial means or infrastructure to play hockey, or for other scholastic purposes. It spun out of the Kingsbridge National Ice Center project in New York City.

Key Moments

#82 – Mark Messier: Leadership, personal growth, and performing under pressure

Peter Attia MD

People & Blogs3 min read130 min video

Jan 14, 2020|903 views|9|1

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Mark Messier discusses leadership, personal growth, teamwork, and performing under pressure

Key Insights

Leadership evolves through experience, failure, and continuous learning from role models.

Team success hinges on cohesive unity, character, and every player feeling valued and accountable.

Early multi-sport athletic development fosters broader skills than early specialization.

Mental preparation, self-belief, and trust in teammates are crucial for high-pressure performance.

Resilience in the face of failure and criticism is key to long-term success and personal growth.

A strong personal identity beyond one's profession is vital for a successful post-career transition.

EARLY ATHLETIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE VALUE OF MULTI-SPORT EXPERIENCE

Mark Messier highlights the benefits of a broad athletic foundation developed through playing multiple sports like hockey, baseball, and soccer during childhood. He contrasts this with modern early specialization, emphasizing that a wider sampling of athletic activities until around age 14 fosters more well-rounded athletes. This initial approach, he suggests, can be more beneficial for long-term athletic development than a singular focus from a very young age, debunking the myth that constant hockey training from toddlerhood is the only path to success.

THE MAKING OF A PROFESSIONAL AND EARLY CAREER LESSONS

Messier recounts his early professional journey, starting at age 17 in the WHL and experiencing a significant growth spurt that transformed his skating ability around age 15. He shares vivid memories of his father's influence and the importance of organized sports, even reflecting on a harsh lesson about punctuality that led to a demotion to the farm team. These early experiences underscored the team-first mentality required in professional sports, emphasizing that individual time is subordinate to the team's needs.

THE EDMONTON OILERS DYNASTY AND THE DYNAMIC OF TEAMWORK

The conversation delves into the legendary Edmonton Oilers dynasty, highlighting Wayne Gretzky's unparalleled talent and its impact on the team. Messier explains how Gretzky's presence, while extraordinary, fostered a team-first culture where every player felt valued and accountable. He details how the team's success was built not just on talent, but on strong leadership, character, and a collective understanding that the stage needed to be big enough for everyone, ensuring no prima donnas emerged.

NAVIGATING FAILURE AND THE PATH TO STANLEY CUP VICTORIES

Messier vividly describes pivotal moments of failure, including the demoralizing sweep by the New York Islanders and the heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Calgary Flames due to an unfortunate own goal. These experiences, he notes, were crucial learning opportunities that fueled the team's determination. The narrative then shifts to the hard-fought Stanley Cup victories, particularly the 1990 win without Gretzky, which validated the team's collective strength and resilience, and the emotional significance of winning the Cup with the Rangers after a long drought.

LEADERSHIP UNDER PRESSURE AND THE NEW YORK TRANSITION

Transitioning to New York, Messier discusses the immense pressure of playing in a major market and the lessons learned from Wayne Gretzky about maintaining focus. He recounts a bold public promise before a crucial game, demonstrating his commitment to instilling confidence in his team. This period highlighted his evolution as a leader, capable of managing anxieties and motivating others through direct communication and a deep understanding of team dynamics, culminating in the 1994 Stanley Cup victory.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE GAME AND POST-CAREER LIFE

Looking at the NHL's transformation, Messier believes his Oilers' style of play would still be successful today, emphasizing the enduring importance of skating and skill. He reflects on his longevity, attributing it to a focus on team goals over individual records and lucky breaks regarding injuries. Post-retirement, Messier emphasizes the importance of having an identity beyond hockey, supported by family and community involvement, which facilitated his smooth transition into new ventures and philanthropic work.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Organizations

●People Referenced

Common Questions

Mark Messier's professional hockey career spanned 26 years, starting at age 17 in the WHA and then playing 25 years in the NHL.

Topics

Human Performance Mindset & Self-Improvement Sports & Athletics Leadership Team Dynamics Professional Sports Hockey History Mental Fortitude Athletic Development Retirement Transition Community Involvement

Mentioned in this video

Organizations

Toronto Maple Leafs

Discussed as an Original Six team with a long Stanley Cup drought since 1967. Messier believes with their current nucleus they should be able to win soon, expressing affection for the history and passion of the franchise.

Indianapolis Racers

One of the two WHA teams Mark Messier played for as a 17-year-old before the franchise folded. Wayne Gretzky also had a significant contract with them.

Saint Louis Blues

Cited as a recent example of a team that made an amazing turnaround, emotionally connecting to win the Stanley Cup despite not being in playoff contention before Christmas, demonstrating that deep emotional connection is key to winning.

Kingsbridge National Ice Center

A project in the Bronx that Mark Messier is involved with, aiming to provide more access and opportunity for kids to play hockey in the metropolitan area.

Cincinnati Stingers

The second WHA team Mark Messier played for as a 17-year-old after the Indianapolis Racers folded, where he finished the season.

Tomorrow's Children Fund

A charitable fund at Hackensack Medical University that Mark Messier became involved with upon moving to New York, recognizing the overwhelming need for charity involvement in the city.

New York Rangers

The team Mark Messier captained to a Stanley Cup victory in 1994, breaking a 54-year drought for the franchise.

WHA

A secondary professional hockey league where Mark Messier played at 17 years old before joining the NHL. It competed with the NHL for underage players and later saw some of its teams merge into the NHL.

Alberta Lung Association

The first charity Mark Messier got involved with as a professional player in Edmonton, focusing on premature babies with unhealthy lungs.

Edmonton Oilers

Mark Messier's first NHL team, with whom he won multiple Stanley Cups, including as captain after Wayne Gretzky's departure.

Mark Messier Foundation

Mark Messier's charitable foundation focused on giving back and providing access and opportunity to kids who lack the means to play hockey, inspired by the Kingsbridge project.

People

Peter Pocklington

The owner of the Edmonton Oilers who notoriously traded Wayne Gretzky. Messier stated he never spoke to Pocklington about the trade, as there was nothing to say.

Gordie Howe

A legendary hockey player, Mark Messier played the second most games in the NHL, only behind Gordie Howe. Messier later retired just eight games short of Howe's record, emphasizing that he never played for records.

Tom Brady

Mentioned as an example of an athlete redefining his sport, playing into his 40s, and maintaining efficiency through continuous effort and a deep understanding of self and sport.

Wayne Gretzky

Known as 'The Great One,' he is the only player to have scored more points than Mark Messier, and was a foundational teammate of Messier's on the Edmonton Oilers. Messier considered him a mentor and role model, emphasizing his mental preparation and ambition.

Mark Messier

Considered one of the greatest hockey players of all time, with a 25-year NHL career, 6 Stanley Cups, and the only captain to lead two different teams to a Stanley Cup. He is the guest on the podcast, discussing his career, leadership philosophy, and transition to life after hockey.