NHL legend Mark Messier highlighted the development opportunities available in NCAA hockey on an appearance with WFAN Radio's Mike Francesa Thursday afternoon.

"It's a great opportunity for kids to get in there and spend four years," Messier said, "to develop as people and develop their bodies physically and come out of there at a mature level than say junior hockey.

Messier is an ambassador for Saturday's Rivalry on Ice game, featuring Harvard and Yale at Madison Square Garden. The second annual event sold out last season and features Messier's nephew, Harvard sophomore Luke Esposito.

In his appearance with Francesa, Messier talked about his brother, Paul, who played at Denver. Mark was poised to join his brother on a scholarship with the Pioneers before signing professionally with the WHA as a 17-year-old. From there he joined the Edmonton Oilers and began his legendary NHL career.