Rangers Legend Reflects on ’94 Stanley Cup Victory: New York Was ‘Freaking on Fire’
Mark Messier, the legendary captain of the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers, recently shared memories from his illustrious 25-year NHL career on the popular hockey podcast Spittin’ Chiclets. Alongside hosts Ryan Whitney and Paul Bissonnette, Messier recounted significant moments from his early days playing with Wayne Gretzky and winning five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s, to his leadership during the Rangers’ historic ’94 Cup run.
Messier recalled iconic moments as a Ranger, including his famous “We’ll win tonight” prediction before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils, and the thrilling Game 7 victory over the Vancouver Canucks that ended the Rangers’ 54-year Cup drought.
“The whole city was so freaking on fire. You couldn’t help but be caught up in it, the enormity of it, that building was electric,” Messier said about New York City during that time.
Messier began his discussion about the Rangers by explaining why he requested a trade from the Oilers before the 1991-92 season, despite winning five Stanley Cups with his hometown team. “You just know in your heart. I needed a change … I personally needed a different challenge,” he said.
The 15-time All-Star had his sights set on New York and expressed this desire to then-Oilers general manager Glen Sather. “If you have a chance, I wouldn’t mind going to New York City,” he recalled telling Sather.
From his first game with the Rangers, Messier felt the unique energy of the New York fanbase. “The fandom around the New York Rangers. Think about the power in that. The first game that I played I recognized it,” he explained. “I was hoping hockey was going to matter in NYC … Wow. I underestimated how much it mattered.”
Spittin’ Chiclets Episode 513: Featuring Mark Messier
– Winning in Edmonton
– Playing with Gretzky
– The Messier Guarantee
– Free Agency
– Show Update++ tons more
Presented by @pinkwhitney
Watch/Listen: https://t.co/QVLVLCk7Fu pic.twitter.com/Adf6CYKHA8
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) July 9, 2024
Messier’s first season with the Rangers was remarkable. He led the team with 107 points, became captain, and won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP, helping the Rangers secure the Presidents’ Trophy before a playoff exit in the second round against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following season was disappointing, with the Rangers missing the playoffs and coach Roger Neilson being fired.
The 1993-94 season was transformative for Messier and the Rangers. Messier guided the team through two tightly contested series in the playoffs. One of his most memorable moments came before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Devils when he boldly guaranteed a victory, stating, “We will win tonight.”
Reflecting on this bold statement, Messier said, “I knew everybody was going to open up the paper and read that I believe we can go in there and win the game. It’s very shortsighted that 10 million other New Yorkers and everyone across the country and the New Jersey Devils and they’re going ‘Oh yeah? Is that right? They’re going to come in here and win this game?'”
The Rangers won 4-2 at the Meadowlands after trailing 2-0 in the first period, with Messier’s third-period hat trick becoming one of the most iconic moments in NHL history. After defeating the Devils in double overtime of Game 7, the Rangers needed another seven games to win the Cup against the Canucks.
In the crucial Game 7, Messier scored a power-play goal at 13:29 of the second period, which became the Stanley Cup-winning goal as the Rangers held on for a 3-2 victory. “The dying seconds, I know for sure in my career I’d never felt anything that palpable in New York City. It was absolutely electric,” he recalled.
Messier became the first and only player in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup as captain on two different teams and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. His retired No. 11 jersey hangs in the rafters of both Rogers Place and Madison Square Garden.
At the episode’s end, Messier hinted at a new docuseries called “Game 7” set for release on Amazon Prime in October. The series will feature Messier’s story alongside other notable Game 7s in sports history.
