Hockey Star Mark Messier Retires His Number 11
Welcome back!
Edmonton loves their Oilers Hockey team to the extreme. Hockey is to Edmonton what Basketball is to the U.S.
On February 27 2007, Mark Messier, the former world renowned Oilers hockey player retired his Number 11 jersey to the rafters of Gretzky’s building Rexall Place in Edmonton.
It was a tear jerking, emotional ceremony. Even the Great One, Wayne Gretzky was there to honor Mark Messier, along with numerous former team mates including one of the greatest goalies ever, Grant Fuhr. Okay, so maybe I’m biased. Also in attendance were Jari Kurri, Dave Simenko and Ken Linsmen to name a few — the latter 2 with the infamous reputations for being scrappers. But, where was Kevin Lowe?
To further honor Mark Messier, Edmonton has renamed a portion of the St. Albert Trail road from approximately 156 Street to Yellowhead Trail. Only one other former Oiler has this tribute been given to, Wayne Gretzky for which Capilano Freeway was renamed.
Mark Messier won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. Those were the glory days! Thanks for the great games, good times, and fond memories from that era!
Mark retired in September 2005 as the second leading scorer in NHL history, second only to Wayne Gretzky.
All the best to you Mark, Edmonton loves you!
Mark Messier’s Jersey Raised to the Rafters at Rexall Place
Here is a clip from that evening, as they raise Mark Messier’s jersey to the rafters. It’s a little bit grainy and jumpy, but exciting all the same.
Mess is one of the greatest players to step on a sheet of ice. It’s nice to see Edmonton honor him as well as they did. Thanks for the Memories Mess!
My kids always got Messier hockey cards. It’s sad to see him retire. I did not know his #11 jersey had retired. I’m glad the Oilers honored him and put him.
I’m familiar with the USA hockey hall of fame. Is there a Canadian hockey hall of fame? The Mess should be in it.
It was sad, Paul. I doubt that there was a dry eye in the Colosseum when Mark Messier’s jersey was retired to the rafters. He was a legend in my home town here in Edmonton.
You might be surprised to hear that the first all-Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame was established in Toronto in 1961 at the Exhibition Place.
Mark Messier’s record was tarnished immesurably with his deplorable record (and ridiculous actions) when he was a Vancouver Canuck. He will always be remembered by Canuck fans as a sleazy, money-grabbing, no-talent jacka**. Mark Messier is a greedy, no-class A**. He can take Mike Keenan with him too. JACKA**!
Wow, so much hostility. I have no idea what he could have done in Vancouver to attract such resentment from you, but when he was in Edmonton, he was very well-loved.
My husband knows both Mark and his sister, and has nothing but good things to say about them.
wow vancouver fan you are a moron, maybe its because mess beat your guys’s ass down in 94 to win the cup is what has you so sour. The entire canucks organization is a joke, as was proved when messier played there. Number 11 was unnofficially retired by thre canucks and there was a big deal about messier (who is one of the best players ever) wearing the former number of wayne maki. Trevor linden gave the captaincy of the team to messier out of his own respect for him. Not like it matters though, 90 percent of people from vancouver are crack heads anyway so its not like we care what you say