Mark Messier challenges players who fail under pressure
Photo credit: CBC
Six-time Stanley Cup champion Mark Messier recently shared his perspective, suggesting that both players and teams can actually benefit from having a rabid fanbase.
Messier revealed that the intense pressure he and his teammates like Wayne Gretzky felt in Edmonton during his time with the Oilers played a big role in their success which included five titles before leading the New York Rangers to breaking their 54 year drought in 1994.
According to Messier, teams that know how to channel this outside pressure can use it to their advantage.
Because of the five 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 they provide�the expectations, the pressure�I think that can really benefit on a team.
Messier thinks players who succumb to pressure shouldn't be playing in high-stakes markets.
Messier added that you have to posses a certain type of mental toughness to thrive under the bright lights.
That's just part of professional hockey when you're trying to get to the elite level and not everybody is made for it. A lot of players can play in the league, but not everyone can play on a team that is expected to win.
| POLL | ||
14 JUILLET | 97 ANSWERS Mark Messier challenges players who fail under pressure Do you agree with Mark Messier's perspective that a passionate and invested fan base can benefit NHL teams? | ||
| Yes | 92 | 94.8 % |
| No | 5 | 5.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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