Report: Mark Messier interviews to be Rangers head coach

Mark Messier's No.11 hangs in the Madison Square Garden rafters.(Photo by Manny Carabel/Getty Images)

Mark Messier has formally interviewed for the New York Rangers head coaching position, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.

Messier, who played 10 seasons with the Rangers, voiced interest in the position in May. It appears the interest is mutual.

From NHL.com:

"Yes, of course," Messier told NHL.com when asked Friday at United Center if he has formally interviewed with Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather. "That was one thing I wanted to have happen, to go through the process like everybody else and to experience that, and to give Glen the opportunity to make a decision that he feels comfortable with."

Messier, 52, has limited coaching experience. He led Team Canada during two hockey tournaments in 2010 but has never coached an NHL team. Messier is currently the Rangers' Special Assistant to the General Manager and President.

Under John Tortorella, the Rangers went 26-18-4 last season and were elimintated by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The team let go of Tortorella four days after its loss in the playoffs.