Patrick Marleau is set to make history Monday when he takes the ice for the Sharks against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
Barring any unforeseen issues, Marleau will break Gordie Howe's NHL record for most career games played that night at 1,768.
Drafted in 1997 by the Sharks, Marleau's longevity is a marvel. In fact, the Vegas Golden Knights franchise won't match the mark Marleau will set Monday for quite some time.
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While Marleau's record-setting feat is something to be applauded, the Sharks center has only been able to play for 24 seasons because he hasn't been able to capture that elusive title.
“Just first and foremost, loving the game and I just love being out there and playing," Marleau told reporters Thursday when asked what has kept him playing for so long." Obviously, every kid’s dream is to hoist that Stanley Cup, so I’ve been chasing it all this time and that goal hasn’t changed for me, since you know what the Stanley Cup’s about.”
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Marleau lifted the Sharks out of their awkward expansion era and helped make them an almost yearly title contender.
The Sharks aren't a threat to lift the Cup this year, but Marleau hasn't ruled out coming back for another run at the prize.
“We’ll see. I don’t know," Marleau said. "I still feel good, I’d like to keep playing as long as I can, as long as my family is willing to keep supporting me and see me off on road trips and welcome me home. Coming back, we’ll try and keep it going as long as we can."