EDMONTON – Being drafted by your hometown team is a dream come true, right?

Not exactly.

Edmonton Oilers legend Mark Messier was one of those fortunate young hockey players to get drafted by Edmonton. This is significant because he was born in St. Albert, a local suburb.

Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. 

The Hockey News was given an opportunity to interview Messier ahead of Budweiser's City of Champions campaign launch. In that interview, Messier shared what it was like to be part of the first Oilers draft class.

Trending Oilers Stories

'What The F---?': Oilers Corey Perry On Danault's 'B Squad' Comments EDMONTON – “I think they have their B Squad in, just trying to hurt us.”

Oilers Evander Kane & Fiancee Make Big Announcement

Messier Would Love Oilers To 'Bring It Full Circle'

Oilers Banking On Skill With New Prospect

Oilers Injury Update: Ekholm and Kane's Playoff Status

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Messier On Oilers, Budweiser, His Future & More

Aging Roster Behind Oilers' Recent Injury Luck Every team deals with injuries.

“It was new for everybody, it was new for Edmonton,” Messier told The Hockey News. “I remember sitting at home listening to it on the radio.”

However, Messier had certain expectations for where he would be drafted.

“When I got drafted by the Oilers, I went in the third or fourth round,” Messier said, “I was obviously disappointed because I thought I was going to be drafted higher.”

Messier expanded on why he was thinking that he would to be drafted higher than the third round. 

“I played pro hockey when I was 17/18. But the reality was, I just didn’t have any equity at all,” Messier explained. “Nobody knew I didn’t play junior hockey and I didn’t really play well at all in the pro level.”

“So I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I guess I was expecting more.”

Messier's Disappointment Turns Into A Chance Of A Lifetime With The Oilers

Regardless of his draft position, once he was part of the team, that disappointment melted away.

“Sure enough, (I) get drafted to my hometown of Edmonton, that was starting out as an expansion team,” Messier told The Hockey News. “I went down there and met everybody and was able to make the team the first year. I was just so happy to play on the team.”

But there was one player who would change the course of his life forever, Wayne Gretzky. Messier discussed what it was like to be his teammate, and what all of that meant to him as a hometown kid.

“He was such a leader and we learned so much from him,” Messier revealed. “As a fan, as a player that played with him, as a kid coming from Edmonton, you just can’t dream it up.”

“It was unbelievable.”

Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.