Mark Messier Reunites With Rangers As GM

Mark Messier, who in 1994 led the Rangers to their first Stanley Cup title in 54 years, is returning to the club as a special assistant to general manager Glen Sather, the club said Sunday. Messier, a six-time Cup champion as a player, has not been shy in recent years about his desire to eventually run a team as GM.

This could be the first step in the process that might lead Messier replacing Sather when the current GM’s tenure with the Rangers is over.

In a statement, Sather called Messier one of the greatest players in the NHL and is “looking forward to him joining the organization and learning a whole new part of the hockey business.”

Messier played his final game with the Rangers on March 31, 2004 – during his second stint with the team – and scored his 694th goal. He officially announced his retirement on Sept. 12, 2005, after the yearlong NHL lockout.