Q. It seems like you have come full circle in your career from player to management with a team where you have such a famous history. What does it mean to you to return to the New York Rangers in this new role? What do you find exciting and what do you find challenging?
A. It is hard to believe it has been 5 years since my retirement. Coming back to the Rangers is very exciting for me. I am really looking forward to joining the management team and competing again, although competing in a different way. From an organization stand point, I really enjoy the team development. As a young player, I remember the veteran players that helped me make the transition from the Junior League to the NHL. I look forward to contributing any way I can to help the team and organization have a successful season.
Q. How much will you be working with guys like Dubinsky who are already on the team?
A. I am not in direct contact with the players on a day to day basis. That is the coach’s responsibility- one voice, one message. Having said that, I am certainly available to assist the coaching staff if they feel it is necessary or I can contribute in some way.
Q. I understand The Messier Project has been on an NHL tour with teams and players about the M11. What is your message to the players? How have the players responded? Who is supporting The Messier Project, wearing the M11? What are the challenges?
A. The M11 has been very well received by the NHL players in camp. Change is always hard, especially in a sport as traditional as hockey. For that reason, we didn’t expect to have a huge impact in terms of the number of players changing over to the M11 in the beginning. What we did find is that a lot of players were open and interested in the conversation. We are talking about revolutionizing head protection- essentially introducing a new era. Anything of that magnitude takes time and great patience. But we feel strongly that this is something that needs to be done and therefore we are committed for the long haul. We also believe over time the players will see the value of what and who we are, and what our mission is.
At the NHL level we are looking for players who understand the importance of protecting themselves and in doing so are also protecting their careers. When you are playing, it is difficult to look beyond that time line. However, when you take into account the potential devastating effects of concussion, we also believe in the importance of protecting your head (brain) with an eye on “quality of life” after hockey. This is a critical message we need to get through to players at all levels, but especially our youth. NHL players are the game’s greatest influencers. We want the players who are interested in joining the fight against concussions by changing the priorities within our sport to make head protection a top priority. By supporting this mission and wearing the M11, these players will in turn be protecting kids playing hockey and ultimately help to preserve our great game.
With any new product, even if a player is 100% bought in, it does take time to get used to a change. So, we have many NHL players still evaluating the M11, but to this point in the season we have enjoyed tremendous support from:
Garnet Exelby
Aaron Ward
Chris Phillips
Christoff Schubert
Jesse Winchester
Stephan Veilleux
Kevin Westgarth
Matt Bradley
Kip Brennan
Brett Palin
I am honored these players have joined our team in our mission to address concussions in hockey.
Q. Mark, What is your opinion regarding the importance of Skate Sharpening?
A. Good question. When we visited the PHATS-SPHEM (Professional Hockey Athletic Trainers & Equipment Managers) convention this summer, I was introduced to a brand new technology in skate sharpening. Instead of cutting the blade in a c-cup formation, it cuts the blade in a squared U angle. The company says it gives the players less drag without sacrificing the sharp edge the players look for, which sounds very interesting. Skate sharpening is a very personal decision and something most players are very specific about- which often requires a different setting on the machine for each guy- meaning, the amount of edge put on the blade. I was a guy that did not like sharp skates. I liked the feeling of a smooth glide. Technology keeps improving which offers many options. At the end of the day, it is still something that is very personal and each player needs to decide what is right for him or her.
Q. Who was your favorite NHL player when you were a kid?
A. My two favorite players as a kid growing up were Bobby Orr and Guy Lafleur. Saturday night, watching Hockey Night In Canada was always the best part of the week. It was a big tradition in Canada, both from a hockey and family perspective.
Q. What are your thoughts about young players being named captain? In some cases there are players 15 years older than their captain, how does this make things more difficult?
A. I have reservations about this topic as well. Of course, every situation and player is different. A player coming into the NHL has many challenges to cope with, not only on the ice, but off the ice as well. Giving a player ample time to be one of the guys and make mistakes is all part of the maturation process and I believe required to become an effective and passionate leader. Accelerating this process has hurt a few players in the past. However, once in awhile you have a few special players and people like Crosby and potentially Toews that can handle the situation.
