Patrick Marleau breaks the record for most games played in NHL history surpassing “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, long time standing record holder. What makes this record so impressive is that Marleau did it with one team for 1,596 of 1768 in his career games. The 41 yr old Sharks forward split time with the Leafs, Penguins and Sharks scoring 566 goals and 1186 total points.
Marleau is considered one of the most respected players in the league. There aren’t many people that can say a negative word about the Swift Current, Saskatchewan native. He’s shared success with legends like Sidney Crosby, Joe Thornton and many more. He also held a leadership role in developing two of the youngest stars of the league today in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Patrick Marleau breaking Gordie Howe’s record isn’t his biggest accomplishment. Marleau was a member Team Canada for the 2010 Winter Olympics, where he took home the Gold Medal on home soil, and 2014 in Sochi. Marleau also helped lead the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2016 where they lost to the Penguins in 6.
Marleau was one of my favourite players to watch. He was smooth and smart. He was big and agile. He was a fighter and a playmaker. He represented himself and the sport with professionalism and passion. “I just love it. There’s nothing else like it.” when asked why he shows up to the rink. That’s the ultimate hockey guy comment from one of the boys, doing everything FURDA (For The Boys).