Michael Gravel Edmonton Writer

Journal

Feb
27
2007

Number Eleven Gets Raised Tonight

Tonight is a very special night for hockey fans in Edmonton. In a pre-game ceremony at tonight's Oilers game against Phoenix, the jersey of Oilers legend Mark Messier, mighty number 11, gets retired and raised to the rafters. His jersey joins the sweaters of other familiar Oiler legends: Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey, Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, and Al Hamilton. It's hard to not feel all misty-eyed over the whole affair. Messier was the guy we all wanted to be growing up. He was a tougher version of Gretzky, and just as passionate. The respect we had for him after the 1990 Stanley Cup victory (post-Gretzky) was enormous. From then on, he was a hero. An Edmonton-born hero. He then went on to pilot the Rangers to a cup in 1994. Gretzky will be there tonight (coach of the Coyotes) and will be taking part in the ceremony. I have a feeling that there may be more than a few teary eyes in Rexall Place tonight.

Yesterday saw various ceremonies honouring Moose. Part of St. Albert trail was renamed in his honour (kind of silly if you ask me, but it's kinda cool). There was a big do at City Hall and the Winspear as well. I haven't been a huge hockey fan in many years, but tonight's event really strikes a deep chord. I'll be watching intently. Remembering.

2 Comments (Closed)

1

me

I’ll never understand people’s passion for sports.

2

Mike Gravel

I know. I don’t really get it myself. I’m not a huge sports fan, but certain events do take me back to the time when I was. I’ve long held that being an adult sports fan (while not actually playing any sport) is a connection to one’s past. Don’t know if that’s true or not, but it rings true to me.

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