Everyone on the 1993–94 New York Rangers team was in sync, from Mike Hartman and Mark Messier to Eddie Olczyk and Brian Leetch, Glenn Healy and Mike Richter. The actors and actresses, whether major and minor, had faith in and trusted one another. Even when things were rough, they stuck together and supported one other.”You didn’t experience any jealousy in that room at all,” Stephane Matteau recently remarked. When things became rough, nobody started pointing fingers. That team had several unique players.
Leadership by example and inclusivity were key tenets of Mark Messier’s style. Kevin Lowe, Craig MacTavish, Esa Tikkanen, and other esteemed veterans rallied behind and spread his messages, which undoubtedly helped. To win the Stanley Cup for the first time in 54 years, all it took was a unique combination of players assembled by Neil Smith and Mike Keenan.
“Everyone was important,” Mike Richter explained. Sure, you had ‘Leetchie’ (Brian Leetch) and ‘Mess,’ you had individuals like that. Fantastic athletes. But when you got to practice, you’d see “Eddie O” at the head of the stretch and the “Heave Ho!” chant at the finish. It was Glenn Healy making fun of everyone. The individual known as Mike Hartman. Whether they were on the field or not, every single player contributed significantly.
Going to work each day was a blast. It chuckles. It was hilariously targeted at everyone. Inclusion was extended to everybody.
