Mark Messier leaves Rangers front office
Mark Messier announced Thursday he is leaving the New York Rangers front office, and that it has nothing to do with not getting the team's coaching position.
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When the New York Rangers were looking for a new coach to replace John Tortorella one of the names that worked its way into the discussion was hockey Hall of Famer Mark Messier's.
Messier had been working in the organization for the past four years.
Given his lack of coaching experience it was a bit of a surprise, but he ended up interviewing for the position. He didn't get hired, the team instead choosing former Canucks coach Alain Vigneault.
On Thursday, Messier announced he is leaving the Rangers organization and he wanted to make it very clear his decision had nothing to do with the team's decision.
Here is Messier's statement, via the Rangers:
“I would like to thank the New York Rangers and particularly Glen Sather for giving me the opportunity over the last four years to work with the Rangers. I am resigning my position with the Team to pursue an opportunity to expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Although some will perceive this as a reaction to the coaching decision, nothing could be further from the truth. I completely respect the decision that was made and for all the reasons it was made. I harbor no hard feelings toward Glen or the Rangers. This is a personal choice I am making to create a program in the New York area that will give our children more choices and opportunities in the future. I wish the Rangers nothing but the best in the future.“
Sather said Messier left on good terms.
“Mark Messier will always be a part of the New York Rangers family," Sather said in a team statement. "As a player and then as part of the management team, he brought incomparable passion and dedication to the organization. We wish him well in his future endeavors."
Messier spent 10 seasons with the Rangers as a player and was the captain of their 1994 Stanley Cup-winning team.
