Messier »

Jeff Z. Klein is the author of Mario Lemieux, and co-author of The Coolest Guys on Ice, the hockey fan’s manifesto The Death of Hockey, and two editions of The Hockey Compendium. Though a lifelong Sabres fan, the peak moment of his life occurred on June 14, 1994, when he drank champagne from the Stanley Cup in the dressing room of Messier’s victorious Rangers.

Throughout his extraordinary career, Mark Messier has set a new standard of hockey excellence. A pillar of the incredible Edmonton Oilers dynasty that won five Stanley Cups and dominated the sport in the 1980’s, a fierce competitor for Team Canada in international competition, and later the driving force behind the New York Rangers’ return to championship glory, Messier’s remarkable achievements on the ice, combined with his near-magical (and at times menacing) charisma have made him one of hockey’s most commanding and intriguing personalities.

Now, New York Times Magazine writer Jeff Z. Klein takes readers behind the headlines and statistics for a revealing look at a hockey legend. Drawing on his incisive understanding of the game of hockey, and his sources within the NHL, Klein gives us an intimate look at the man who may be the most fascinating player in hockey and the greatest leader in all sport.

Career Statistics
Introduction

Hallsy
Not Exactly Wayne Gretzky
A Long Road to Climb if You Want to Rock and Roll
Fast, Hard, and Out of Control
Apotheosis of the Moose
Goodbye to All That
The Coach Killer
The Messiah
Paradise Lost
The Last Fine Time
The Two Captain Canucks
Back to New York
At Ground Zero
The Messiah in Winter

Bibliography and Acknowledgments
Credits
Index