Mark annnounces Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson as winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone on the the NHL Network.

Ottawa Senators forward Daniel Alfredsson, the longest serving captain in the NHL, is the 2013 winner of the Mark Messier Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone.

Alfredssson, 40, has played his entire 17-year NHL career with the Senators since joining them in 1995-96 and winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year. Ottawa’s leading career point producer by far, Alfredsson has 426 goals and 682 assists in 1,108 regular-season games.

But more than numbers stood out for Mark, who personally choses the award winner. Alfredsson edged out two other finalists and NHL captains — Chicago’s Jonathan Toews and Los Angeles’ Dustin Brown.

“It’s always a tough choice, three worthy recipients,” Mark said. “But if you look at the body of work of Daniel Alfredsson over a long career since becoming captain, what the (Senators) organization has been through, going to the Stanley Cup finals, retooling — almost rebuilding  — and not missing a beat and almost coming out of it stronger than they were going into the rebuild…

“I don't think that happens without great leadership.  And that doesn’t happen without a great rapport between the players, the captain, the coaching staff and management.”

The Senators were rocked by injuries to key players this season, but Alfredsson helped keep his team on track for a seventh-place finish and playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Sens then upset Montréal in the opening postseason round before falling to Pittsburgh.

Alfredsson also has led the Senators’ community outreach to make a difference in the Ottawa region.

The native of Gothenberg, Sweden has supported the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa for the past 10 seasons, purchasing tickets and suites for club members to attend Senators games. He has been the title sponsor of Ringside for Youth, the team’s primary fundraising event during the season.

Since 2008, Alfredsson also has been the spokesperson and champion for the Royal Ottawa Foundation’s “You Know Who I Am” campaign, leading the way to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. In addition, Alfredsson has supported the Royal’s “Do It for Daron” campaign to assist in raising the profile of youth mental health issues.

“What he’s done in the community off the ice is beyond expectations or anyone really,” Mark said.  “He’s a good representative not only for the Ottawa Senators, but he’s a great representative for the entire National Hockey League for what a player really should be on and off the ice.”

The 2013 Mark Messier Leadership Award was announced in a broadcast on the NHL Network from the United Center in Chicago before Game 2 of the Stanley Cup finals. Mark was there in person and chatted with Alfredsson via a phone link.

“It means a lot getting an award like this that recognizes all the work you put in on and off the ice,” Alfredsson said. “And especially coming from a guy like Mark Messier as well — he kind of epitomizes the leadership role in our game — it's a huge honor.”

Alfredsson is the most celebrated player in Sens history and the longest-serving captain in the NHL.

Daniel Alfredsson of the Ottawa Senators, Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings and Jonathan Toews of the Chicago
Blackhawks are the three finalists for the 2012-13 Mark Messier NHL
Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, which is presented to “the
player who exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off
the ice during the regular season,” the National Hockey League announced
today.

Mark solicits suggestions from club and League personnel and
NHL fans to compile a list of potential candidates. However, the selection
of the three finalists and ultimate winner is Mark's alone.

Following are profiles on the finalists for the 2012-13 Mark Messier NHL
Leadership Award presented by Bridgestone, in alphabetical order:

Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators

Alfredsson, the NHL’s longest-serving active captain, leads the
Senators in numerous categories, including games played, goals, assists and
points. He has taken a leadership role off of the ice as well, working with
the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa, the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental
Health and the Sens Foundation.

Alfredsson has supported the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa for the past 10 seasons, purchasing tickets and suites for
club members to attend Senators games and serving as title sponsor of
Ringside for Youth, the club’s primary fundraising event during the season.
Since 2008, he also has been the spokesperson and champion for the Royal’s
“You Know Who I Am” campaign, leading the way to help reduce the stigma
surrounding mental health issues. In addition, Alfredsson has supported the
Royal’s “Do It for Daron” campaign to assist in raising the profile of
youth mental health issues.

Dustin Brown, Los Angeles Kings

Brown has spent his entire nine-year NHL career with the Kings,
serving as their captain for the past five seasons. He was selected as the
Kings’ Most Popular Player this season and is known for his physical
playing style, which consistently places him among the League leaders in
hits.

Capitalizing on his aggressive style of play to help others, Brown
makes a $50 donation for each hit he delivers to his opponents – a
contribution he has made since the 2008-09 season. Those benefiting from
this charitable initiative include the Newborn and Infant Critical Care
Unit at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and KABOOM!, a relationship that
has raised $60,000 and culminated with a special playground built in
Carson, Calif., in September 2010.

Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks

Toews was named captain of the Blackhawks in 2008 when he was just
20-years-old, making him the third-youngest captain in NHL history at the
time. While his leadership on the ice is undisputed, his role off the ice
with various children’s charitable causes makes him an undeniable role
model to fans.

In his spare time, Toews volunteers to grant wishes through
the Make-A-Wish Foundation and visits with patients at the local children’s
hospital and Chicago’s Misericordia. Last fall, he returned home to join
the Winnipeg Patrolmen Hockey Club and other NHL players for the “Goals for
Dreams Hockey Challenge,” which helped raise $80,000 for the Children’s
Hospital Foundation and the Dream Factory, a charity that grants dreams for
critically and chronically ill children.

The Messier Project and hockey icon Mark Messier — the only NHL player to captain two different teams to the Stanley Cup — are proud to recognize an outstanding and up-and-coming young junior hockey captain.

Forward Conor Lemirande, 19, of the Janesville Jets is the 2012-2013 recipient of  The Messier Project Leadership Award for the North American Hockey League (NAHL).The Messier Project Leadership Award was established in 2010-11, and recognizes the NAHL player who best exemplifies strong leadership both on and off the ice. 

Lemirande, a native of Janesville, Wis., has been a rock-solid cornerstone for the Jets 

on the ice and in their community. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward recorded 21 points

(nine goals, 12 assists) and 127 penalty minutes in 54 games during 2012-13, his second

NAHL season and second with the Jets. He has established himself as a selfless leader

 who never hesitates to stand up for his team and teammates.

“Conor is the player you hate to play against, but love to have on your team,” Jets coach Joe Dibble said. “He’s a big power forward who can skate, shoot and play physical.

“He has been the leader of our team since Day One. He’s a very positive young man who leads by example with his work ethic on and off the ice.”

But there’s much more to Lemirande’s story than hockey.

NAHL players range in age from 16 to 20, and generally have more-structured and

more-demanding personal schedules than most young people. On top of his hockey

responsibilities with the Jets, Lemirande averaged almost 15 hours of community

service per month in his hometown during the 2012-13 NAHL campaign, and he

has continued to work with causes in the area following the season. He also actively

encourages his teammates to get involved with a wide variety of initiatives in

Janesville, a city of 65,000 in southern Wisconsin.

“Conor completely embodies the spirit of The Messier Project Leadership Award,”

said Messier, who played on six Stanley Cup winning teams. “As a selfless player,

Conor earned the respect of his teammates on the ice, but maybe more importantly,

he has used the game of hockey as a vehicle to become a role model, and a wonderful

contributing member of our society. 

“I congratulate Conor for an outstanding season, and his efforts to lead off the ice for so many worthwhile causes.”

Lemirande’s community engagement has included:

• Helping his team raise $4,000 for the Salvation Army, including by ringing bells during the holiday season, to help families in the community.
• Collecting toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots Program.
•  Raising funds and awareness for Janesville-based Mercy Health Systems’ cancer awareness initiatives, including as part of a “Skaters as Waiters” benefit.
•  As part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Lemirande was a “big brother” for the entire season and mentored youngster in sports, helped with homework and served as a role model.
• Volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Janesville, where he was a “lunch buddy” for elementary age children.

“This is the type of player we want in Janesville,” Dibble said. “We want great character great work ethic and players who understand that there is more to playing junior hockey than just going to the rink.

“Conor is a true example of that. He is a great face of our organization in and around the city of Janesville."

The Messier Project, which was acquired by Bauer Performance Sports last year, is currently the NAHL’s Official Helmet Supplier. 

The NAHL is the only USA Hockey-sanctioned Tier II Junior A league and boasts 24 teams from across North America. The league prides itself on the social maturity and skill development of student-athletes ages 16-20 with aspirations of advancing to collegiate and/or professional hockey. For more information on the NAHL, visit www.NAHL.com. 

Conor Lemirande in action for the Janesville Jets in an M11 PRO helmet.

The “Captain” — Mark Messier — along with 1972 Summit Series hero Paul Henderson and former Team Canada coach Dave King were awarded the Order of Hockey in Canada by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a ceremony on Ottawa’s Parliament Hill on April 8. 

It was the second year the honor has been presented by Hockey Canada. In 2012, Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jean Béliveau, Cassie Campbell-Pascall, and Gordon Renwick were awarded the Order of Hockey in Canada, which celebrates people who have made an extraordinary contribution to the sport in Canada.

Harper took part in a hockey "hotstove" discussion with Mark, Henderson, King and TSN's Gord Miller, asking questions about the trio's successes on the international stage with Team Canada.

Mark is the only player to captain two teams to the Stanley Cup, winning with Edmonton in 1990 and the New York Rangers in 1994, after winning four Stanley Cups with an Oilers team captained by Gretzky in the 1980s. He has also played a management role with Team Canada.

Mark also was recognized for his leadership in promoting player safety and respect for the game, including his work with The Messier Project. See: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2013/apr/09/mark-messier-order-canada-hockey-concussion

Henderson scored the game-winning goal in the last game against Russia in 1972's epic Summit Series, winning the series for Canada. He also scored the game-winning goals in the sixth and seventh games of the series.

King is one of Canada’s most decorated coaches, leading teams at the winter Olympics, IIHF World Championships and IIHF World Junior Championships. 

From right, PM Stephen Harper, Mark Messier, Dave King, Paul Henderson and TSN's Gord Miller.

The North American Hockey League calls itself “The League of Opportunity,” and it’s living up to that claim again this year.

Two members of the Harvard University Crimson, a pilot team in The Messier Project’s helmets, recently signed pro contracts.

Senior captain Danny Biega agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, who had picked him in third round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Biega then was assigned to the Hurricanes’ top minor league affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

For more information, visit: 

http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mice/2012-13/releases/IHM130314BiegaSigns

Senior Alex Fallstrom signed an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins of the NHL. Fallstrom was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild and had his rights traded to the Bruins later that year.

For more information visit:

http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mice/2012-13/releases/IHM130317FallstromSigns

Harvard was the first college team to wear the M11 beginning in 2009. The Crimson then became the first university program to switch to the M11 PRO, in early 2012.

Both Biega (top photo and Fallstrom (lower photo) are pictured below in the M11 PRO, which has been customized with the lettering “HARVARD” across the front. 

Anthony Stefano, a high-scoring forward on the Midget AAA Sault Ste. Marie (Ontario) North Stars has a bright future in the game.  

According to an article in the Sault Star, Stefano has an offer to play with the Peterborough Petes of the OHL or could cross the bridge and play NCAA hockey with the Lake Superior State Lakers.  

http://www.saultstar.com/2013/01/22/stefano-faces-tough-decision

Whatever his choice, we know Anthony has been in the right helmet, an M11 PRO (see below), along with his North Star teammates.

By the way, the Soo North Stars will host the 2013 Telus Cup AAA Midget Hockey Tournament in April.

Check out the next evolution of the M11 and M11 PRO helmets at the Let's Play Hockey Expo at the RiverCentre in St. Paul on March 8-9 at the BAUER HOCKEY booth.  

Bauer, Cascade Sports and The Messier Project have combined forces to make two great helmets even better. Players in the State of Hockey will be among the first to see the results — the new IMS 11.0 and IMS 7.0, both with Seven Technology.

The Hill-Murray Pioneers and Wayzata Trojans will collide in the Class 2A semifinals of the Minnesota State Hockey School Boys Hockey Tournament at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul today.

The Pioneers were one of the first teams to wear the M11 PRO helmet. The Trojans are in the M11.

Wayzata scored late in regulation of its quarterfinal game against Centennial to tie it, then won in overtime to advance to the semis.  See the story at: http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/236020?referrer_id=32760

Wayzata's Jalen Wahl (18) tied the game with just over a minute left in regulation as the Trojans rallied to win in their Class 2A quarterfinal game in the Minnesota State High School Boys Hockey Tournament..

Hill-Murray beat Eastview 6-3 in the quarterfinals to advance to the semis. Read details at:

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/news_article/show/236439?referrer_id=32770

The Acadia University Axemen just finished a solid 2012-13 season as one of the pilot Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) teams in the M11 PRO.  

Read more at: http://hockey.acadiau.ca/hockey-news-reader-page/items/huskies-squeeze-out-win-to-advance.html

Pictured below in the M11 PRO is Acadia leading scorer and CIS Player of the Year Andrew Clark.