Full disclosure, our household are Oiler fans. So needless to say, we were super excited to see that Mark Messier had finally come out with a hockey memoir. And let me tell you, it was worth the wait.

Starting off at the beginning, the very, very beginning with his father’s hockey career, and then Mark’s own introduction to the game – let’s not forget the learning curve of playing with boys who were older. Then the difficult decision on whether to enter college or continuing with hockey, of course we know which he chose. Hockey. He played with and against the greatest of hockey players – like Wayne Gretzky, Grant Fuhr, Gordie Howe, to name a few. Yes, there was a lot of learning and growing before he won his 6 Stanley Cups. And yes, there were many pick-yourself-up moments within his 25-year career. But it was through his hard work and leadership that he was such a force on the ice, and he deserved all the successes he was garnered.

But you know I have to mention this interesting little titbit -there was a point early in the book where he mentions that he wasn’t a born leader, yet for the Oiler fans in my household, we’ve thought of him as nothing else. And that was one of the key points I took away, although he wasn’t a born leader he worked hard and grew into his role.


Whether you are an Oiler fan, Ranger fan or just enjoy watching a game with some pizza and beer I think you’d like this book.

A big thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the advanced copy. Part hockey memoir, part leadership guide, I loved it so much that I purchased the signed copy for my husband.

No One Wins Alone is the memoir of superstar NHL player, Mark Messier.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A few years ago, I told myself I would stop reading player memoirs and shift solely to books written about hockey by either journalists or sports writers. I made this decision after having read a handful of extremely dull books co-written by superstar players who either an image to maintain or had led an uninteresting career off the ice.

I am not sure why, but when I saw that Mark Messier had a book due out in the fall celebrating his nearly 25 year career, I decided to go back on my word – just this one time. This was a mistake. Not only has Mark led a nearly squeaky-clean life, but this book also doubles as a leadership manifesto on how to inspire others to do their best in life and their career. I should have expected this given the book’s title and Messier having a yearly NHL award given to the player who best exemplifies on-ice leadership.

Look, I’m not faulting Mark for leading a life and career without controversy. I myself am about as dangerous as a warm blanket out of the dryer, but I wouldn’t read a book about my life either. That said, there are a few interesting parts in the book that mostly detail the rise and subsequent dynasty of the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s. One of the moments that will stick with me involved the aftermath of the Oilers’ loss to the New York Islanders, a team that had just won their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup in 1983. Messier walked past their dressing room, expecting to hear celebrating but saw the team of grizzled veterans sitting in relative silence drinking beer and icing their injuries. Messier noted that being as successful as the Islanders were for as long as they had been came with a price.

The book also looks at his trade to the New York Rangers in the early 90s, his ill-fated run with the Canucks a few years later and his return to the Rangers before his retirement at age forty-three. I honestly didn’t get a whole lot out of the latter half of the book.

It goes without saying that Messier is a class act and is beloved by the hockey world (unless you’re a Canucks fan), but this book failed to captivate me and felt more like a chore near the end.

Mark Messier, in this overdue memoir, not only recounts the highlights of his career but also emphasizes the importance of leadership and mental readiness to excel in sport. From his early days in Edmonton to his last days as a New York Ranger, he brings the readers through the highs and lows of his Hall of Fame career and a bit in-between (he alludes to wilder days as a young hockey player but never quite delves into those memories). A true hockey icon, Mark Messier presents his insights on how he came to be a six-time Stanley Cup Champion, captaining two different teams to the trophy.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC.

I am a hockey fans and.I love sports biographies but this wasn’t just a sports memoir; this was a leadership tale, that could be useful in any business culture.

You won’t find stories about how he met girlfriends or his wife, or how his kids were born, or even juicy tales about his teammates. Messier remains a symbol of integrity throughout.

What you will find though are the teachings and values his father passed on to him from an early age and his views on leadership and how to build a winning culture and play as a team.

With this book in my hand, I had the feeling I was reading a hockey history book as It made me relive some of the greatest moments of the NHL.

Messier won 6 Stanley Cups, was a captain in all of his teams throughout a 26 years career in the league and got to play with superstars with amongst them no other than Wayne Gretzky, which became a lifelong friend.

I am so grateful I got to read this extraordinary book and I admire even more Mark Messier for his integrity, passion for the game, dedication and words of wisdom. He will forever be one of the greatest hockey players there ever was!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me a complimentary e-arc in exchange for my honest review.