You could say I was spoiled as a kid, growing up in the 1980s, not because my parents bought me a bunch of stuff, but because I had the chance to see two dynasties.
Now, full disclosure: I’m from Toronto, but it was hard being a Leafs fan back then. The team was still stuck in the Harold Ballard era. The Leafs were so bad in the 80s that most of my friends cheered for other teams. Some liked the Montreal Canadiens, others liked the Calgary Flames.
I had a thing for the New York Islanders. The Isles won four straight Cups. But by 1985, there was a new sheriff in town: The Edmonton Oilers. That '80s Oilers team was something I don’t think we’ve ever seen since.
Perhaps the Detroit Red Wings of the late 90s or that Colorado Avalanche team from 1996 could rival those Oilers’ squads. Anyhow, looking back at the 1980s Edmonton Oilers made me realise something. As good as Wayne Gretzky was, the true heart and soul of that team was Mark Messier.
I came to that realization after watching a fantastic documentary on Amazon Prime dedicated to legendary Game 7s. The series features baseball, basketball, and hockey. Episode 2 titled, “The Price of Winning,” focused on Game 7 of the 1987 Stanley Cup Final between the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.
Aside from the episode being absolutely wonderful, it showcased how Gretzky, the captain and leader, was just one of the guys on that team. And it was Messier who truly made that Oilers team what it was.
Mark Messier embodied the Edmonton Oilers dynasty
The film highlights a point in Game 7 where Messier gets hit by friendly fire, leaving him wrenching in pain on the ice. He manages to skate off, but has to go to the dressing room to get medical attention.In the film, Messier talks about how it was more painful to have to leave the ice during the third period of a Game 7 than dealing with the injury itself.
But Messier returned to the ice, and in obvious pain, grinded out the rest of the game. The Oilers beat Ron Hextall and the Flyers to take home their third Cup in four seasons.
The film also highlights something I’ve said for years. Messier was the true leader of the Edmonton Oilers during those days. The Oilers won another Cup after Gretzky left. Gretzky, unfortunately, fell short of single-handedly winning a Cup with the LA Kings.
I suppose it would have been something truly magical to have Gretzky win the Cup in Los Angeles in 1993, and then have Messier win it in New York in 1994. That’s one of those what-ifs that may have come true in a parallel dimension. If you have access to such an alternate reality, do let me know.
In the meantime, check out the film if you can. It’s wonderful reminiscing. That Game 7 was one of the best of all time in hockey history. Thanks to Messier, Gretzky, and Hextall for making it happen.