Captain's Log
This past Monday, the NHL and Bridgestone, (the primer sponsor for this year's All-Star game) have developed a contest on who truly is the greatest NHL captain of all time. The contest entitled "Greatest Captain Contest" gives fans the chance vote in a 32 player tournament bracket, to determine the greatest captain ever to don an NHL jersey. The NHL will be providing prizes throughout each week to determine random winners, ending with a grand prize winner of course will receive tickets to the 2009 All-Star Game in Montreal, Canada.
Quickly, we'll look back at just a few of the modern day greatest captains, some still active in the game today.
For Stevie Yzerman, his career accomplishments are unique and long; over 1700 points, over a 1000 assists to establish his role of being an unselfish player and a plus/minus at nearly an overall 200. A great captain for two decades and true leader in the locker room, as Scotty Bowman once placed it "I never had to go in the locker room for player grievances, because I knew Stevie took care of it".
One of the greatest folk stories you will ever share with your grandkids, is the story of "The Messiah", aka Mark Messier. 
For Messier, his "peak time" will always be remembered by "The Guarantee". We've all heard the stories and seen it with our own eyes. It is possibly, one of the greatest inspirational stories you will ever hear in sports and most importantly in New York. As-then ESPN commentator Gary Thorne once said in reference to "We'll Win Tonight", "You say that in New York... the whole world knows". Not just a leader in New York, but before that in 1988, Messier was donned the "C" and skeptics were unsure of his leadership capabilities. For the first time as a sole leader, Messier propelled his team from the brink of elimination(s) and won two Stanley Cups as captain for the Oilers. Before long, he looked for more opportunity and a move to New York helped the Rangers win their first Stanley Cup in 54 years, true excellence from the one known as the "Messiah".
Before Chris Neil, Phaneuf, Malone and the eventual Luke Schenn, there was an original "human eraser" of the 90's that bulldozer, being Scott Stevens.
As captain for the New Jersey Devils, a position he rode 1992 until his retirement in 2006, The blue-line crusher would wreak havoc on all the skating opposition, and goaltender's. His hard work patrolling the blue line also propelled him into a scorer, leading his team several years in scoring and plus/minus, Stevens goes down as a hall-of-famer and retiree in the Devils organization. Stevens, a 5 time all-star has a laundry list of trophies back home, including 2 Norris Trophies, a Conn Smyth (MVP during the Stanley Cup Playoffs) all sounding his 3 Stanley Cups, not too mention an #4, jersey hanging in the rafters for his 14 years of recognition in New Jersey.
What more can you say about Joe Sakic, a true Nordique in more ways than one. When Sakic was drafted his goal was to be an elite scorer that personifies class on and off the ice. It is a motto that has followed him throughout out his career when he debuted as an 18 year old on the Quebec Nordiques. Sakic's shot and endurance gave the reputation even at a young age that he is as dangerous as a 10 time all star with phenomenal skills, including an laser wrist shot which helped him receive scoring titles year after year. His leadership also began very early, so much the coaching staff in Quebec gave him co-captain spot at the age of 21 as it continues now, but soon may approaching an end to a brilliant career last two decades. A great leader he is upon the team was when the move to Quebec to Colorado occurred, while most opposed it, he took a great step in NHL regards by embracing the move, calling it good for the organization and the league. A solid-lock for the future hall-of famer, respected by peers in and out of the league.
For each captain, most have different philosophies but it comes down to the leadership you bring within the organization and fellow team-mates. The main point a captain should consider is players must know who you are and what you stand for, including your beliefs and to be strong in times when things are optimistic or going sour.
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Mark Messier is undoubtably the greatest NHL captain of all time. He brought the Rangers and the city of the New York its first Stanley Cup since 1940 in 1994. Go to a Ranger game and mention the word captain, and everyone will know who you are talking about. He guaranteed victory in game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals when the Rangers were down 3 games to 2 in the series to the Devils. He backed up his guarantee by scoring a hat trick. Messier is the one and only Captain.