Photo: Sports Illustrated
When the puck dropped between the San Jose Sharks and Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Monday night, Sharks forward Patrick Marleau’s name came up on the game sheet for an NHL-record 1,768th time. He was in the Sharks’ starting lineup.
Gordie Howe held the record previously.
1️⃣7️⃣6️⃣8️⃣ pic.twitter.com/GVb7LWr8IE
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) April 20, 2021
After Marleau tied the record on Saturday night at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, all of the Minnesota Wild players shook his hand. The Wild faithful gave him a standing ovation in the middle of the game.
Nothing but respect for Marleau from the Wild pic.twitter.com/3nthovvvmc
— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) April 18, 2021
The 41-year-old recorded 566 goals, 1,196 points, and a -22 rating through his first 1,767 games, including four goals and eight points in 44 games this season. 1,596 of his games have come with the Sharks, who drafted him second overall in the 1997 NHL Draft.
Marleau wore the gloves shown below against the Golden Knights.
Patrick Marleau’s custom mitts for tonight though. 👀🔥
(📸: @brandonmagnus) pic.twitter.com/USmuaU8bZd
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 19, 2021
In 195 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, Marleau has recorded 72 goals, 127 points, and a -11 rating but has never won the Stanley Cup.
What are the chances of one legend from Saskatchewan becoming the all-time leader in games played, and then 59+ years later another kid from the same province passing him for that distinction?
Congratulations, Patrick Marleau!#HistoryMarleaud #NHLStats: https://t.co/L42l7exkFH pic.twitter.com/DLh5NVUySk
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 20, 2021
Marleau is a five-time NHL All-Star and a one-time Lady Byng finalist as the NHL’s most gentlemanly player.
The Sharks will allow fans for the first time this season against the Arizona Coyotes on Monday night at SAP Center, so they will likely hold a tribute for Marleau then.
Mind blowing stat>> Patrick Marleau of #SJSharks has appeared in at least one game with 37% of every #NHL player who has ever played in the 104 year history of the league (3009 of 8100)
Source @SharksStats pic.twitter.com/TkSU0jiOPN— Jonathan Becher (@jbecher) April 17, 2021
The Golden Knights honored Marleau after his first shift of the game.
Patrick Marleau is honored for passing Gordie Howe for the most games played in NHL history. (Part 1) pic.twitter.com/nGeSJCRtl9
— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) April 20, 2021
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had a message for Marleau, which was played in T-Mobile Arena on Monday:
“To be merely mentioned in the same sentence as Gordie Howe is an achievement most hockey players can only dream about. To break one of his records is historic.” – A message from @NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to Patrick Marleau pic.twitter.com/lUnQsex6UY
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 20, 2021
Monday’s game was also his 899th straight appearance.
By Harrison Brown
Impressive. Congrats Paddy!