Sharks fans give Marleau five-minute standing ovation in his return to San Jose

BarDown Staff

Patrick Marleau , Twitter/SanJoseSharks

San Jose Sharks fans are probably still having a tough time seeing Patrick Marleau in a Toronto Maple Leafs sweater.

The 38-year-old was selected 2nd overall by the Sharks back in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play 1,493 games in a Sharks jersey over the span of 19 seasons. He owns many franchise records, including games played (1,493), most goals (508), points (1,082), power play goals (160), and short-handed goals (17), to name a few.

On Monday night, the Aneroid, Saskatchewan native made his first trip back to San Jose since joining the Maple Leafs, and you can bet the Sharks faithful were happy to see Marleau back in town, despite being in the opposing team’s jersey.

Fitting & Ironic the first time the boys and I see Patrick play with a Leafs sweater on, we are in San Jose. #TMLTalk I 💙12 pic.twitter.com/Qa3t5Jqdjt
— Christina Marleau (@c_marleau) October 31, 2017

12 is a popular number tonight. pic.twitter.com/7C3B4AZ9HV
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 31, 2017

Pat-rick Mar-leau. #TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/IvcHrDr2vR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) October 31, 2017

The fans came prepared with some pretty great signs to show appreciation for Marleau and everything he did while he was with the team, and the Sharks took some time out before the game to honour the former captain.

Standing O for #12. pic.twitter.com/bm44IyISHJ
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) October 31, 2017

Since the fans have followed Marleau closely since he was 18-years-old, this wasn’t an ordinary standing ovation as it ended up lasting more than five minutes in length.