Mark Messier and Ken Daneyko were good friends while growing up in Edmonton, Alberta. Messier was a few years older, but always supportive of his younger skating pal. He eventually wound up in Daneyko’s wedding party, and their close friendship continued after they made it to the N.H.L.
That is, until 1991, when Messier was traded to the Rangers.
“When he came to New York, everything changed,” said Daneyko, a three-time Stanley Cup-winning defenseman who spent his entire 20-year career with the Devils. “All friendships were put on hold because too much was at stake. We hated them, they hated us, and the fans don’t like each other, either.