Mark Messier, a former Canadian professional ice hockey center, played in the NHL for a remarkable twenty-five years, spending his career with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. In this extensive career, Messier won six Stanley Cups – five with the Oilers and one with the Rangers – and is the only player to have captained two NHL franchises to championships, a testament to his leadership abilities. His exceptional performances in the league saw him win the Hart Memorial Trophy twice as the league's most valuable player in 1990 and 1992 and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs in 1984.

Ranking third for regular season games played and regular season points, Messier's contributions to the sport were acknowledged when he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2007. In the same year, the NHL instituted the Mark Messier Leadership Award, given annually to the player who exemplifies great leadership qualities on and off the ice. In recognition of his contributions to hockey, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2017.

Post-retirement, Messier continued to be involved in the sport, serving as a special assistant to the president and general manager of the New York Rangers. His contributions extended beyond the professional league as he coached Team Canada in two European tournaments in 2010, and has been involved in the development of ice rinks, including the Bronx armory and the Ice Center in NYC. Messier's impact on the sport is enduring, with his number 11 jersey retired by both the New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers, and his involvement in various philanthropic activities in Canada testifying to his leadership off the ice as well.

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