Defenseman Lyon Messier, whose dad was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, is expected in Lincoln today.
Brent C. Wagner / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Monday, November 12, 2007 6:00 pm
You’ll have to forgive Lyon Messier for missing Lincoln’s practice Monday.
It turns out he had a previous engagement for the day he officially became a member of the Stars — his father’s induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
Maybe you’ve heard of Mark Messier. He won six Stanley Cup championships, played in 15 All-Star Games, is second in NHL regular-season points to some guy named Gretzky, is the only player to captain two teams — the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers — to Stanley Cup titles …
And you can expect to see Mark Messier at the Ice Box a few times this season. Players and fans will be awestruck when that happens, says Lincoln’s Jake Newton, who was Lyon Messier’s defenseman partner last season with the Texas Tornado in the North American Hockey League.
“(Mark Messier) comes down to the locker room and chats with the players, which is just nerve-racking, standing next to a legend,” Newton said. “I remember the first time I talked to him we were getting ready to go on the ice for practice and he comes up and we start talking. I’m in my gear, and I’m already sweating two minutes into the conversation.
“I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m talking to Mark Messier.’”
Lyon Messier is expected to arrive in Lincoln late today, and will be in the lineup this weekend when the Stars play two games at the Ice Box, coach Jimmy McGroarty said.
The coach was excited to acquire Lyon Messier, regardless of who his father is. It may take Messier a few games to settle in, and his contributions likely won’t be scoring goals, but another veteran to help a young defenseman group could make a big impact, McGroarty said.
“He loves to hit,” he said. “He’s a big, physical stay-at-home defenseman who moves the puck well and is great on the penalty kill.”
Lyon Messier, 20, began this season playing major junior hockey in Canada. But it can be tough for a rookie to make an impact in the Ontario Hockey League, and teams are limited in the number of players of his age that can be on the roster. Messier was released by the Erie Otters last week.
McGroarty had previously tried to get Messier to play for Lincoln, and last week convinced him to join the team. The transaction didn’t become official until Monday because other teams in the OHL could have added him to their roster.
Newton spoke to Lyon Messier on Sunday.
“He sounds really excited to come in here,” Newton said. “He can sure step up and make some big hits that can be momentum-changers, and should step in and be a leader on this team.”
Messier will join Kyle Verbeek as Stars players whose fathers played in the NHL. Patrick Johnson, son of Mark Johnson, and Brandon Hodge, son of Ken Hodge, are believed to be the only other sons of NHL players to play for the Stars.
Briefly
Stars second-year forward Rick Carden was named the United States Hockey League offensive player of the week. He had two goals, including the game winner, in a 6-3 win against Sioux Falls on Friday. He also assisted in both Lincoln goals in a loss to Des Moines on Saturday. Carden is the first Stars player to be honored this season.