The Mark Messier Leadership Award is a National Hockey League (NHL) award that recognizes an individual as a superior leader within their sport, and as a contributing member of society. The award is given to a player selected by Hockey Hall of Fame center Mark Messier to honor an individual who leads by positive example through on-ice performance, motivation of team members and a dedication to community activities and charitable causes. It was first awarded during 2006–07 NHL season and sponsored by Cold-fX.
History
In its first season, the Mark Messier Leadership Award was awarded quite differently from most other trophies in the NHL. In 2006–07, five players were honored with monthly awards as selected by the NHL based on the qualification of potential recipients, while the final decision was made by Mark Messier.[1] At the end of the regular season, one player is chosen as the Leader of the Year. The first winner of the annual award was Chris Chelios of the Detroit Red Wings.[2] The league has not announced monthly winners since 2007–08.
The award's namesake, Mark Messier, played in the NHL for twenty-five seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks; his 1,887 regular-season points are third all-time behind Jaromir Jagr and Wayne Gretzky, and his 1,756 regular-season games third to Patrick Marleau and Gordie Howe (he is first in games played, including playoffs). Messier is, to date, the only person to lead two separate franchises to the Stanley Cup as captain, accomplishing this with the Oilers in 1990 and with the Rangers in 1994.[3]
Winners
Player is still active in the NHL
Player is inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame
Player is not yet eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame
Chris Chelios, the first winner of the annual award.
2006–07 Monthly Award
2007–present
Notes
1.^ Crosby previously won the monthly award in January 2007.[6]
^ a b"Leadership Award". Cold fX. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
^ a b"Chelios named Messier Leader of the Year". TSN. 2007-05-30. Archived from the original on 2007-10-07. Retrieved 2007-10-05.
^"Mark John Douglas Messier". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 2007-01-23. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
^"Shanahan wins leader award". CBC. 2006-11-14. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved 2007-11-30.
^"Crosby takes starring role for week". The Sporting News. 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2008-11-02.[permanent dead link]
^ a b"Mark Messier hands Sid the Kid the monthly NHL leadership award". The Hockey News. 2007-01-24. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2012-07-16.
^"Vincent Lecavalier Receives Mark Messier Leadership Award, Presented By COLD-FX". Center Ice Magazine. 2007-02-20. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
^"Luongo receives Messier leadership award". Toronto Star. 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
^"Sundin Receives Messier Leadership Award". Toronto Maple Leafs. 2008-05-28. Archived from the original on 2008-05-30. Retrieved 2008-05-29.
