Messier as Assistant GM?
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by user Behindthejersey
Mark Messier would like to become the New York Rangers' new assistant GM. Don Maloney, the previous asst. GM, left to work for the Phoenix Coyotes as the GM. NYR has not talked to Messier about the position so this is all just Messier talking so far. I don't think Messier as an assistant GM would be a good idea at all. You certainly didn't see Yzerman jump from retired player to assistant GM. Instead, he's learning the ropes and the business side of things. Messier should try to do that instead of go after the assistant GM spot already.
In other Messier related news, Chris Chelios has been given the Mark Messier Leader of the Year award. I don't know if Cheli would be the best pick based on the first two qualifications, but it sounds like he has given a lot through his charity which definitely qualifies him for the third description. I'm not saying Cheli isn't deserving of this award at all as he definitely picked it up for the Wings in the playoffs when we lost two of our top four defensemen.
According to TSN: "The honour is given to a player who demonstrates outstanding performance, vast leadership skills and dedicated humanitarian efforts.
The 45-year-old Chelios recorded 11 assists in 71 games this season and added a goal and six assists in the playoffs as the Red Wings advanced to the Western Conference final.
Since 1992, his Cheli's Children's Foundation has donated more than US$2-million to youth charities throughout Chicago and Detroit. Cold-FX, the award's sponsor, will donate US$25,000 to the charity of Chelios' choice.
The NHL is involved in the selection of potential recipients of the award but the final decision was made by Messier, who retired following the 2002-03 season."
Jeremiah @ All Things Red Wings, recently put up a nice post about the past couple of seasons and the rollercoaster it has been for Chris Chelios between playing hockey, stabbings at his restaurant in Detroit, and the lawsuit against the NHLPA. Here's an excerpt from his post:
"This incident was the culmination of a rollercoaster year for one of the greatest defenseman to play the game. It also shouldn't distract or taint the wonderful season Chris Chelios had for the Detroit Red Wings in the regular season and the playoffs. His value to the Red Wings and his strong play this season, along with leading the charge against the corrupted NHLPA, didn't go unnoticed. Chelios was named the recipient of the Mark Messier Leader of the Year Award for his outstanding performance as a player, his vast leadership skills and his dedicated humanitarian efforts.
"I don't have many regrets about my hockey career, but one might be never having had the opportunity to play with Chris Chelios," Messier said. "I have always admired his commitment and dedication to the game, and I have never heard a negative word spoken about him, which is a true testament to his character. In addition to his ability to lead his teammates both on and off the ice, he is an incredible ambassador for the game of hockey and a wonderful role model - totally committed to his community and giving back to those in need."
At the end of the day, Chris Chelios is just a person. Remove the professional athlete label and you still have a human being. The experiences, the tragedy, the triumphs, the vindication and the disappointment that Chelios endured this past season is difficult to deal with no matter what profession you hold in life. In one season, he went through a tremendous range of emotions--a rollercoaster of emotional highs and lows."
