Messier hits the mark

Web posted January 12, 1998

Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Mark Messier learned a long time ago that there is no room for selfishness in professional sports, at least not if winning is your first priority.

In his 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, Messier has become the consummate leader, a man who sets the tone for his teammates both on and off the ice.

On Saturday night he became the sixth player to record 1,000 assists in his career when he helped set up Alex Mogilny late in the second period of a 2-2 tie with the Florida Panthers.

But what he did just a few seconds later speaks more about Messier than his six Stanley Cup rings or any personal milestone.

Rather than keep the Louisville stick he used to earn the assist and mount it over his fireplace someday, Messier handed the stick to Ron Shupe, a schoolteacher who has volunteered as the Canucks' stickboy for 25 years.

``He's been here 25 years and never missed a game,'' Messier said. ``Anyone who has been here longer than me deserves something like this. They do a lot of work for the team behind the scenes, he is definitely worthy of it.''

Messier, who shuns personal accolades for team success, said even he recognized that 1,000 assists puts him in some elite company. He joins former teammates Wayne Gretzky (1,873) of the Rangers and Paul Coffey (1,080) of the Flyers, Gordie Howe (1,049), Marcel Dionne (1,040) and Bruins defenseman Ray Bourque (1,019) in the 1,000 assist club.

``There have been a lot of great players that played before us, that played a long time and set some incredible standards for everybody to follow. To be able to in the elite league with some of the players that have done this is great,'' said Messier. ``I don't get too overwhelmed by it all because I really like to stay in the present, and I feel like I still have a lot of accomplish.''

Messier's 23rd assist of the season came on the power play with seven seconds remaining in the second period. With Robert Svehla serving a five minute major for spearing, Messier fed a pass to Trevor Linden, who deflected the puck over to Mogilny for his seventh goal of the year.

After the game, Messier chose to talk about future goals rather than past assists.

``I really feel like I want to accomplish much more, I don't want to get caught looking back at what I have done in the past because that isn't going to do the Vancouver Canucks much good,'' Messier said.

``I have to show everybody what I can do for them here and make things work here. I can't be satisfied with what I have accomplished in the past.''

Messier needs 10 goals to join five others at 600. He is tied for fourth with Phil Esposito for career points with 1,590.

``It's obviously a special milestone, I'm happy I was able to get it in front of the hometown fans,'' Messier said. ``On something like this one, when only five other players have done it before, it really means a lot. I've never really been into statistics personally. I have always thrived on the help of my teammates, playing a real team game, and winning.''