Mark Messier, a name synonymous with hockey greatness, captained teams to six Stanley Cup championships. Beyond his on-ice achievements, Messier's commitment to physical and mental conditioning played a significant role in his success. This article explores aspects of Messier's approach to diet and workout, drawing from anecdotes and insights throughout his career.
The Evolution of Fitness in Hockey
In the NHL, the focus on fitness has evolved considerably over the years. As Vaughan Rody, a seasoned NHL official, notes, "No question, the pace of the game has changed to become much faster. And we need to keep up, too." This has led to a greater emphasis on conditioning, not just for players, but also for officials who need to keep pace with the game.
Dan O'Rourke, another NHL referee, recalls a time when officials would "let myself go, then try to lose 15 pounds at the end of summer." However, he notes that "now guys are more into a lifestyle of fitness and health versus crash dieting and whipping into shape right before the season." This shift reflects a broader understanding of the importance of consistent fitness for performance and longevity in the sport.
Messier's Early Influences and Training Philosophy
Messier's awareness of the importance of fitness and mental strength goes back to his youth. He recognized the need to "reset after a hard effort, and finding balance in life." He learned that "the mind is a muscle, and you have to train it-like you do all the other muscles-in pursuit of excellence."
Mental Fortitude: Training the Mind
Messier placed a strong emphasis on mental training. He realized that "talent can take you far, but ultimately what separates you is how mentally strong you are." He began to explore "sports psychology and breathing techniques" to "marry the physical with the mental."
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He learned that the mind is a muscle that needs to be trained just like any other. This mental fortitude allowed him to push his body to do extraordinary things.
The Mind-Expanding Experience
At the age of nineteen, Messier had an experience that profoundly changed his perspective on the power of the mind. He experimented with psilocybin mushrooms, which led to a deep and lasting appreciation for the diversity of human beings. This experience taught him that people can think in different ways than he had ever imagined, and that intolerance often stems from a lack of understanding and respect for these differences.
Diet and Nutrition
While specific details of Messier's diet aren't readily available, the emphasis on fitness and health suggests a focus on a balanced and nutritious diet. NHL officials, for example, have shifted away from heavy pre-game meals of pasta and chicken towards lighter, more nutritious options like salads. O'Rourke now opts for protein shakes after the game for replenishment.
The Importance of Recovery
Messier recognized the importance of recovery and resetting after intense physical exertion. He and his brother Paul understood the importance of resetting after a hard effort, and finding balance in life.
The Stanley Cup: A Symbol of Achievement
The Stanley Cup, a symbol of ultimate achievement in hockey, has a rich history and tradition. Bruce Beck, lead sports anchor for WNBC-TV, describes it as "one of the greatest trophies in all of sports, The Holy Grail, the ultimate in power and achievement." What separates the Stanley Cup from all other trophies is the tradition that each player has his name inscribed on it and gets to spend a day with it.
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The Cup itself is on the road 300 days a year. During hockey season, there are three Keepers. According to tradition, Keepers wear white gloves when handling the Cup. Pritchard, who is the vice president of the resource center and the curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in addition to his Cup-shepherding duties, says he’s kept every pair he’s ever owned in plastic bags with dates written on them. “My sock and t-shirt drawers are filled with them. “Every day is a new chapter in the life of the Stanley Cup. After 20 million years of doing this, you think you’ve seen everything but you haven’t,” he said. “Having the opportunity to bear witness to a great moment for each and every guy is my favorite thing. Whether it’s going to a player’s hometown or an event with them is incredible,” Pritchard said.
The Stanley Cup has been involved in many memorable and unusual events. Newborn babies have been baptized inside it. Kentucky Derby winning horses have been fed from it. Grown men have showered, slept and even spooned with it. It’s covered over a million miles of terrain from Disneyworld to the nightmarish war zones of Afghanistan, and once even found itself at the bottom of a swimming pool.
The Role of a Trainer
NHL officials work with a fitness guru, Dave Smith (aka "Smitty"), who keeps them in line. Smith developed a program that involved testing. Unlike players who covet power and lower-body girth, refs prefer to be leaner. It's easier on the joints, which can help a ref continue to work into his 50s.
Smith monitors the refs closely throughout the season. If a guy is slipping, Smitty goes and lives with them for a week. In what sounds like a boot camp reality show, Smith will embed at a referee's home, fully examining his training regimen and his fridge.
Overcoming Injuries
The life of an NHL official is not without its physical challenges. Rody has had both legs broken by slap shots and tore a pectoral muscle while breaking up a fight. He also had spinal fusion surgery two-and-a-half years ago, which sidelined him for more than a year.
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O'Rourke also endured three shoulder surgeries during his playing days, and his officiating injuries include "a handful of knee stuff," including MCL sprains, meniscus issues and a bone taken out of his knee.
Despite these injuries, officials are able to bounce back due to their commitment to training and fitness.