Mark Messier is known as one of the best and most consistent forwards to play in the league. In his 25-year career, Messier managed to win multiple awards including 2 Hart Trophies, 2 Pearson Awards and 5 All-Star appearances. He started his career by spending 11 years with the Edmonton Oilers before joining the New York Rangers. Aside from a 3-year stint with the Vancouver Canucks, Messier would finish his career in New York. Messier was also blessed with the nicknames of Messiah and Moose. In such a long and prosperous career, how many Stanley Cups did Mark Messier win?
Mark Messier won 6 Stanley Cups in his career. 5 Cups came with the Oilers while the last one came with the New York Rangers. Messier actually became the first player to win Stanley Cups with multiple teams as a captain of both teams. This speaks to both his ability as a player and his leadership as a captain.
Stanley Cup Finals 1984: Edmonton Oilers vs New York Islanders
Messier, showing his versatility as a center and a left wing, was an instrumental part of this Edmonton team that also featured legends like Wayne Gretzky, Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri. All of these players were in their early 20s at this point, providing the youthful energy a team would need for a deep playoff run. Despite not leading the playoffs in points, Messier actually won his first and only Conn Smythe Trophy for his performance throughout the playoffs, finishing with 8 goals and 18 assists.
When it came time for the Stanley Cup Finals, Messier finished the 5-game series with 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist). Most notably, Messier was credited with the game-winner in a blowout Game 4 that ended up 7-2 Edmonton.
Stanley Cup Finals 1985: Edmonton Oilers vs Philadelphia Flyers
Just getting started, the Oilers went back-to-back and made another Cup run the next year. This culminated in another 5-game series, but this time, they would face off against the Philadelphia Flyers. Moose would play in all 5 games, totaling up 2 goals and 4 assists. Edmonton’s big 4 was again essential for Edmonton in this series, and Gretzky took home the Conn Smythe.
Stanley Cup Finals 1987: Edmonton Oilers vs Philadelphia Flyers
After taking a year off from the Stanley Cup Finals, Edmonton would return to once again face off against the Flyers. This time, however, Philadelphia would push the series to 7 games, which always shapes up for entertaining hockey. With the steady progression of their young stars, Edmonton was able to rally and win the series at home. Messier finished the series with 2 goals and 3 assists. One of those goals came short-handed in a Game 3 loss.
Stanley Cup Finals 1988: Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins
Edmonton was able to pull off yet another back-to-back run, making it to the Finals the very next year. This time, they would face off against the Boston Bruins in what would end up being a sweep. Funnily enough, it was actually a 5-game series despite the sweep. The reason for this was a power failure in Game 4 that would end up in the game being suspended in a tie, making Edmonton the first and possibly only team to sweep a 5-game series.
Messier finished the series with 1 goal and 2 assists, including a power-play goal in a Game 2 win. This was the first of this series of Cups in which Paul Coffey was not on the team due to a monetary dispute, and he ended up being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins where he would win another Cup.
Stanley Cup Finals 1990: Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins
In between their last Cup and the 1990 run, Edmonton actually traded Wayne Gretzky in an infamous deal that further broke apart their core of talented players. Messier, now 29, actually led the playoffs in assists with 22 and tied for the points lead with teammate Craig Simpson at 31. Despite Gretzky’s scoring absence, Edmonton was able to overcome the Bruins in 5 games. Messier finished the Finals with 5 assists.
Stanley Cup Finals 1994: New York Rangers vs Vancouver Canucks
Messier, now the Rangers, managed to add one more Stanley Cup to his trophy case. Now a wily vet at the age of 33, Messier was a vital leader for the Rangers and their young players. Messier finished off his last Cup run with 2 goals and 5 assists in a thrilling 7-game series. Moose actually scored the game winner in Game 7, clinching his last Cup. This series is what earned him the nickname of the Messiah, as he brought the Rangers their first Cup after a 54-year drought.
Watch: Mark Messier scores a goal to win the Stanley Cup:
Mark Messier retired from hockey in 2004, finishing his career with the Rangers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2007. He finished his 25-year career with 694 goals and 1,193 assists. He is currently on ESPN’s broadcast team, providing excellent insight into the game for viewers.
Check out how many Stanley Cups other NHL players have won:
Jamie is the founder of Hockey Response and he is the chief writer/ lead editor. Jamie has been playing hockey for over 20 years. He was the defenseman of the year in NL and has played Jr A level hockey. Jamie has coached several kids hockey camps and he was the assistant coach of the Western Kings.