Mark Messier #11 of the New York Rangers (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
What happened on September 5 in the history of the New York Rangers
On this date in 2003, Mark Messier signed his last contract with the New York Rangers, inking a one-year deal for $2.5 million including incentives for team success. The 42-year-old signed on for his 25th season in the NHL.
Messier signed just a day after his friend and teammate, Mike Richter, had announced his retirement. It left the team with only Messier and Brian Leetch left from the team that won the Stanley Cup in 1994.