These players set standards for most pro games played
I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t know who Patrick Marleau was. I do now. And you should know about him, too, because Monday night the 41-year-old forward set a record by playing in his 1,768th regular-season National Hockey League game. And what makes that feat even more impressive is the previous standard-bearer was “Mr. Hockey” himself, Gordie Howe.
Back in 1997, Marleau found his way to San Jose, after the Sharks drafted the forward from the frozen ponds of Saskatchewan in the second round. With the exception of brief stints in Toronto and Pittsburgh, he’s called the Silicon Valley home for 20 of his 23 seasons. And, during that time, he’s played an integral role in helping hockey flourish in that central California high-tech hub.