NHL: The Best Player at Every Jersey Number, #11-20
#11: Mark Messier, Forward
We start this group with a player who has won many Cups but is still underrated. “Moose”, as he is referred to, is most remembered for his guarantee of a playoff win.
Mark Messier played in the NHL for an incredible 25 years, including stops with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks before he retired on September 12, 2005. He had the nickname Moose because of his determination, aggression, and strength.
In his 25-year NHL career, he played in 1,756 games, scoring 694 goals, 1,193 assists for 1,887 points, and was a +211. He was drafted 48th overall in the 3rd round in 1979 by the Edmonton Oilers.
Messier was a 15-time all-star, 2-time Hart Trophy winner, 2-time Ted Lindsay Award winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and a 6-time Stanley Cup champion.
He ranks 3rd all-time in games played (1,756), and points (1,887), 2nd in career short-handed goals (63), and 9th in career game-winning goals (101).
He was chosen for this spot because he never gave up. He never complained about being second to Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton and even showed how competitive he was as he won even after Gretzky left for the Los Angeles Kings. He is one of the greats but still will never get full credit for the player he was.
#12: Jarome Iginla, Forward
Jarome Iginla played for the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings. His career totals include 1,553 games played, with 625 goals and 675 assists for 1,300 points.
Iginla was a 6-time all-star, an Art Ross Trophy winner, 2-time Rocket Richard winner, Ted Lindsay Award winner, King Clancy Award winner, and a Mark Messier Leadership Award winner.
The only thing Iginla did not win was the Stanley Cup. In Calgary, he was a god as he did everything for the organization that he possibly could to make them competitive. He was a warrior on the ice, competing for every inch and coming out on top more than he did not.
One of the moments people talk about most was his captain versus captain fight against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier. Iginla was very passionate about the game and shows his emotions on the ice.
Like Messier, Iginla was tough to play against and the opposition knew when they played against Iginla teams.