After skipping out on major junior and college hockey altogether, Mark Messier was drafted in the 3rd round, 48th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft.

On the international stage, Messier represented his country at three Canada Cup Tournaments (1984, 1987 and 1991), one World Championship (1989) and one World Cup (1996).

Together Mark Messier and Wayne Gretzky would lead the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cup championships in five years. However, the duo would split in 1988 when Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

In his second season as captain of the Oilers, Messier would capture the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player and lead the Oilers to their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

When the Oilers won their first of four Stanley Cup championships in five years in 1984, Messier, on a team with such stars as Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey and Grant Fuhr, was the most valuable player in the playoffs, capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy for his 26 post-season points and his undeniable leadership. Gretzky was a dominant offensive player and Edmonton recorded new highs for team scoring. But the Oilers in their glory years were also a tight defensive group. Messier, fast, powerful and physical, was a perfect two-way player, able to excel at both ends of the ice.

As a New York Ranger, Messier's determination and leadership would guide the club to its first Stanley Cup in 54 years. With the victory, Messier became the first player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup titles.

In 1997 Mark Messier signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks. His stint with the club was short lived as he would return to the New York Rangers after just three seasons as a Canuck.

The Rangers were down 3-2 in games to New Jersey in the Eastern Conference finals. Messier publicly guaranteed a game six win. He followed up on his promise with a stellar performance, scoring a hat-trick in the third period to bring his team back from elimination and force a seventh game. Messier and the Rangers dispatched the Devils and then won the Cup in another thrilling series against Pavel Bure and the Vancouver Canucks. Messier scored the Cup winning goal in the seventh game. With the victory, the franchise's first in 54 years, Messier became the first player to captain two different teams to Stanley Cup titles.

Along with his six Stanley Cups, Messier has also represented his country at three Canada Cup Tournaments (1984, 1987 and 1991, one World Championship (1989) and one World Cup (1996). Messier scored his 600th career goal in a win over Florida in October of 1998. He and two of his former Oilers teammates, Gretzky and Jari Kurri, were three of only ten players to ever top that benchmark.

Messier's 25-year career came to an end following the 2003-04 regular season. Among numerous awards and achievements, Messier left the game ranking second on the all-time point scoring list behind former teammate Wayne Gretzky.

Following a lock out year in 2004-05, Messier called it a career in the summer of 2005. A year after, both the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers retired his number 11 in pre-game ceremonies. Earlier that year, the National Hockey League created the Mark Messier Trophy, a monthly leadership award.