Mark had a great conversation with Tyler from NHL Digest about fighting in hockey and the important of head protection.

Here’s the full story from NHL Digest:
http://www.nhldigest.com/mark-messier-on-fighting-in-hockey/

Stephane Veilleux took to the ice in the M11 as he played his first preseason game with the Lightning this past Friday when Tampa Bay took on the Atlanta Thrashers at the St. Pete Times Forum. Here are some great photos of Stephane in his black M11 via the Lightning’s official site: http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=499441&navid=DL|TBL|home.

The National Hockey League recently announced that Mark Messier is one of this year’s recipients of the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. Messier and fellow 2009 recipients Mike Richter and Jim Devellano will receive the award at a special reception on Oct. 21 in NYC.

Here’s the full story from NHL.com: http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=499005.

Congratulations to Mark, Mike and Jim from The Messier Project!

Check out the Ahbitibi Eskimos wearing their new team M11s with a Black Shell and Athletic Gold vents. Here’s a photo: http://twitpic.com/iyokq.

The team at Harvard has posted a great story on Mark Messier’s visit with the men’s ice hockey team last weekend. Check out the story and photos at Go Crimson.com. Here’s the link: http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mice/2009-10/releases/20090922_messier.

Here’s a great story on The Messier Project and its work with Harvard via Ivy League Sports.com. You can view the story at http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/article.asp?intID=7355.

Harry Thompson of USA Hockey Magazine wrote an excellent feature on The Messier Project and the new M11 helmet for the magazine’s September issue. Here is a link to the online version of the article:

http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/2009-09/messier-project

The September issue is out now; be sure to pick up a copy!

Check out the video above of Mark Messier with the Harvard Crimson, one of the first teams to wear the new M11 helmet. Mark Messier visited with the Harvard men’s ice hockey team and Head Coach Ted Donato this past weekend. And here’s a link to the online article via WHDH-TV (NBC) Boston.

Harvard Crimson first to test new hockey helmets
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/sports/BO124907

Here’s a great story on ESPN.com, via the Associated Press, on the Harvard men’s ice hockey team joining The Messier Project:  http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=4482626.

Storied Division I Team Commits to Wearing New M11 Helmet for 2009-10 Season

The Harvard Men’s Ice Hockey Team, one of the most historic programs in the country, has become the first Division I team to officially join The Messier Project, a product development and grassroots campaign that aims to address the issue of concussion in hockey, promote safe play and elevate protection across the sport.

The Crimson will wear the revolutionary new M11 helmet, the first product offering of The Messier Project, during the 2009-10 ice hockey season, which begins on October 23, 2009 when the team meets McGill University for an exhibition match at the Alexander H. Bright Hockey Center in Cambridge, Mass.

“Our Harvard Men’s Ice Hockey Team has a proud history as leaders both on and off the ice,” said Crimson Head Coach Ted Donato. “We believe in the mission of The Messier Project and we believe in the M11 for its protection and its performance.  We are honored to work with Mark Messier, himself a lifelong leader, throughout the upcoming season.”

“A helmet should be the number one piece of equipment on a players list – and it should offer the best protection possible,” said Messier.  “While rooted in tradition, Harvard has long been a leader in the evolution of the sport and I am extremely proud that Coach Donato and the Harvard team share The Messier Project’s passion for this important cause.”