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Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky may be reunited in Saturday's Legends game between the Oilers and the Canadiens.
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Gretzky, Messier may ride again
By Alan Adams | Special to NHL.com
November 17, 2003
TORONTO - Another special piece of the puzzle of the Heritage Classic has fallen into place.
Wayne Gretzky says that ex-Edmonton teammate Mark Messier will likely play in the Saturday's Legends game between the Oilers and the Montreal Canadiens, eliminating fears that the NHL's top two all-time scorers would not be reunited this weekend.
Gretzky said he's been told that Messier will fly to Edmonton Friday and will suit up for the Oilers' legends.
"Without him there would be something really special but it would not be the same if he wasn't playing," says Gretzky about Messier's place in Oilers' history and his participation in the Heritage Classic.
"Even if he plays one shift, even if he just puts the sweater on . ...People forget that he is an Edmontonian. He is from Edmonton and he is kind of their son and I am their adopted son. It is nice for everybody that he will play."
Related Links
Heritage Classic on TV
- on the CBC, RDS/SRC (Canada)
and NHL Center Ice (U.S.)
- 4:30 ET
Alumni Game
- 7:00 ET
Canadiens vs. Oilers
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Messier and the New York Rangers are scheduled to play Thursday night in Colorado before traveling back to New York to host the Ottawa Senators Sunday. That would allow Messier to take part in the Saturday night outdoor event.
In a weekend interview, Messier hinted strongly that he would play in the game if circumstances allowed.
"It's an important thing for hockey, a spectacle that the NHL is putting on. It's good for the game, it's good for Canadian hockey in general," Messier said.
"My thought is that it's a way to promote the game, give back to an organization that was good to me for 12 years, to say thanks to a lot of people that meant a lot to me in my career."
Gretzky and Messier were teammates in Edmonton when the Oilers joined the NHL in 1978 after the merger with the World Hockey Association. They've since rewritten the NHL record book and Messier recently moved past Gordie Howe behind Gretzky for 1-2 on the all-time scoring list.
"In '78, when we were in the WHA and we were headed to the NHL, I don't think anybody would have said that 25 years later two guys from the Edmonton Oilers were going to be 1-2 in scoring," said Gretzky, adding that it's quite the 1-2-3 punch this weekend when defenseman Paul Coffey is included in the mix. Coffey is second in all-time scoring by a defenseman.
The Heritage Classic weekend marks the first time in NHL history that a regular-season game will be played outdoors. While much has been made about the possibility of frigid temperatures. Gretzky says he's not worried about the weather.
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Gretzky and Messier were teammates in Edmonton when the Oilers joined the NHL in 1978.
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"I talked to Kevin (Lowe, the Oilers' GM) today and he said the anticipation is minus-3C to minus-6C on Saturday, which is really balmy weather for us," said Gretzky. "We had practices in Edmonton where it was 30 to 40 below and we were outside. The hardest think is it will be dark by 2:30."
Former NHL bench boss Jacques Demers and Rejean Houle will guide the Canadiens alumni team against a group of former Oilers. Glen Sather, John Muckler and Ted Green will be behind the Oilers bench, with former players Al Hamilton and Bruce MacGregor.
Gretzky recalled the 1981 Stanley Cup Playoffs when the Oilers served notice that they were on the cusp of greatness when they beat the Canadiens. And he said that history makes playing Montreal as part of the Heritage Classic a little more special.
"It was probably what pole-vaulted the Oilers to go on and have the success that they had," he said.
Gretzky has been skating at practice with the Phoenix Coyotes in preparation for the oldtimers game. But he said the match will be the first and last time he's suited up since retiring.
"There are nerves because it is a fine line, going out there and not embarrassing yourself and not embarrassing the other guys. It will be fun and it will be enjoyable but it is probably no different than when we actually played them. We'll be younger than the Canadiens. I know they have a pretty good team."
The Great One was asked about what he thinks it will feel like to slip an Oilers jersey over his shoulders again.
"It will be nice. I am glad they are going back to the original sweater because that is the one I wore. But trust me. I am not a big, big believer in oldtimer games. I think once you play, you play. But this is something very special and this will be my last game."
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