Mark Messier had one of the longest and most consistent careers in NHL history.  Messier played professionally for a quarter of a century as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. The longevity of his career allowed Messier to reach a record that few players could even imagine.

On this day, November 23rd, in 2003, the New York Rangers forward Mark Messier became the second player in history to appear in 1,700 games. While 1,700 was an impressive mark, Messier’s career continued for another two years.  When he retired in 2005, Messier had amassed 1,754 regular season games and 236 playoff appearances, setting the record for overall games played at 1,992.

In 2007, Mark Messier was named to the Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players of his era.