There’s few guys around the league who are more universally loved than San Jose Sharks’ veteran Patrick Marleau.
He’s been in the NHL for longer than a lot of the guys that he steps out onto the ice with and against every night have been alive, and continues to be one of the goats of longevity in sport.
The Swift Current native was the second overall pick in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, and has been a mainstay in the league ever since. What’s truly remarkable about Marleau is how good he is at staying healthy. He’s currently riding the fourth longest iron man streak in NHL history that started on April 9th, 2009, with 886 consecutive games.
Tonight, his longevity was on full display when he officially tied Mark Messier for second most NHL games played of all time.
The only player who sits ahead of him now is the one and only Gordie Howe, who has eleven more games than him with 1767.
This is a huge feat, but we have a feeling he’s in for an even bigger one in the next month or so.
Congrats, Patty!
