Mark Messier short for the New York Post

CAPTAIN TAKES ICE FOR NBC

Mark Messier stood on the ice at The Rink at Rockefeller Plaza, basking in an outpouring of emotion from Rangers' fans. Wait, Rockefeller Plaza?

Yesterday, Messier was part of NBC's first regular-season NHL broadcast in 31 years, serving as a guest analyst. Thursday celebration, though, was still fresh in his mind.

"It was a pretty amazing night," Messier said, while noting the Rangers threw a party for him and his family at the Rainbow Room following the Rangers' 5-4 OT win over Edmonton.

"No one can throw a party, throw a celebration like the New York Rangers can," the Captain said. "[It was] completely first class."

Messier became a part of the New York sporting landscape lore when he guaranteed a Game 6 victory over the Devils. Could he guarantee a Cup for the 2005-06 Rangers?

"We'll reserve all the guarantees for another day," he said with a smile.

Denis Gorman

http://www.nypost.com/sports/rangers/61558.htm

Story I wrote for the Norwich Bulletin

Locals mixed about NHL talk

By DENIS GORMAN
For the Norwich Bulletin

Tonight, the Hartford Wolfpack will honor its Civic Center predecessor, and the only major professional sports franchise to call Connecticut home, the Hartford Whalers with a "Whalers Appreciation Night."

Nearly a decade after Peter Karmanos moved the Whalers to North Carolina, local businessmen are exploring the viability of having another NHL franchise based out of Hartford in a new multipurpose arena.

But some locals think the Whalers rebirth may be met with a mixture of apathy and excitement.
St. Bernard/Bacon Academy/Old Lyme head coach Chris Avena isn't certain that another NHL franchise would matter to Connecticut hockey fans, players and coaches. "(It) doesn't change anything. It's a chance to see the NHL without having to drive to New York or Boston, but with the Internet and t.v., kids have access. It's not a huge ordeal (to watch a game).

"One of the biggest problems with Hartford is that there are no deep roots,'' continued Avena.

"I'm not sure they'd be successful. There's (not many) die-hard Whalers fans. There are10,000 die-hard Rangers fans."

Avena's senior center, Glen Grave disagreed with his coach's stance.

"Kids would be inspired to be like the NHL players," said the St. Bernard/Bacon Academy/Old Lyme senior captain. "It'd be a great thing. My career is probably over after high school, but I'd love to skate for them; I'd love to play for the Whalers.

"It'd be a good thing for the state; youth hockey programs (in the state) would be everywhere."

Tonight's festivities will highlight the Whalers' history and the careers of Kevin Dineen, Ulf Samuelsson and future Hall-of-Famer Ron Francis.

http://norwichbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060106/SPORTS/601060343/1006