Mark Messier reveals how NHL teams can use pressure to their advantage

PUBLICATION

Graham Montgomery
July 14, 2024 (11:48)

SHARE THIS STORY

The great Mark Messier was recently a guest on the Spittin Chiclets podcast where he shared some insight and funny stories from his historic career.

A large part of the conversation revolved around the Edmonton Oilers. This should not surprise anyone as that is where Messier spent most of his career. Furthermore, he won five of his six career Stanley Cups with the organization.

As Messier discussed his storied career with the rest of the crew, the conversation turned to pressure. This has been a narrative that surrounds teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs, but also the Edmonton Oilers to a lesser extent, especially considering they just made the Stanley Cup finals.

It has long been thought that Canadian markets are harder on the players due to the nature of their fans applying more pressure than they might otherwise feel comfortable with. When your team makes the finals, that certainly puts even more pressure on everyone. Messier spoke to this pressure and how teams can actually use it to their advantage.

"Because of the 5 years that we went on this journey together, and I always say that we went on the journey together and it is true, as a team and organization if you're not walking that line together with your fan base and using that energy that they can provide, the expectations, the pressure, I think that can really benefit a team. It matters if you win, it matters if you don't play good, you hear about it if you don't play good."

Of course, they also discussed many other topics while Messier was on the show. Much of the time was allotted to Messier, giving him the opportunity to share several funny stories, many of which involved his teammate Wayne Gretzky. In one instance, he revealed how he asked his dad if he though Gretzky was better than him.

«Hey dad, do you think Wayne Gretzky's way better than me?»

15 year old Mark Messier threw his dad into scramble mode 😂

He also talked about what the team culture was like and what the players did in their down time. Gretzky apparently never took his mind off hockey according to Messier. Meanwhile, he was more concerned about their rest and recreation time.

«Wayne is thinking about how he's gonna score three goals tomorrow night, and I'm thinking about where we're going to go out after the game.»

Mark Messier explained the difference between him and Wayne 😂

Hopefully some players saw this and took away some lessons. Pressure does not always have to be a bad thing. When the pressure is high and you perform well, that only makes the feeling that much better. Perhaps the Oilers will better handle themselves next season now that they know what it feels like to play in the Stanley Cup final.

Source: Hockeyfeed
Mark Messier calls out players who can't handle pressure.