Sharks' Patrick Marleau Passes Gordie Howe for Most Games Played in NHL History

Scott Polacek @@ScottPolacekFeatured ColumnistApril 20, 2021

San Jose Sharks center Patrick Marleau in action against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, April 17, 2021, in St. Paul, Minn. The Wild won 5-2. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)

Craig Lassig/Associated Press

Nobody has played more regular-season games in NHL history than San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau.

Monday's contest against the Vegas Golden Knights was the 1,768th game of his career, which passed the legendary Gordie Howe's mark of 1,767.

San Jose Sharks @SanJoseSharks
IT’S OFFICIAL! Patrick Marleau breaks all-time games played record. @SAPSports | #HistoryMarleaud https://t.co/2PWJIMdAJQ

NHL GIFs @NHLGIFs
Patrick Marleau is OFFICIALLY the ALL-TIME leader in games played in the @NHL! https://t.co/Vxr3bPJIjM

San Jose Sharks @SanJoseSharks
A special moment for Patrick Marleau in Vegas. Thank you @GoldenKnights and @NHL! #HistoryMarleaud https://t.co/DEZWrr3UKL

Marleau even had custom gloves made for the occasion:

Sportsnet @Sportsnet
Patrick Marleau's custom mitts for tonight though. 👀🔥 (📸: @brandonmagnus) https://t.co/USmuaU8bZd

The 41-year-old entered the league in the 1997-98 season for the Sharks and played in San Jose until he joined the Toronto Maples Leafs for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. He rejoined the Sharks for the 2019-20 campaign, although they traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

That didn't stop the Sharks from signing him again prior to the 2020-21 campaign, and it feels only fitting he is wearing their jersey when he sets this record.

The three-time All-Star is San Jose's all-time leader in a number of categories, including games, goals, points, game-winning goals and shots.

In all, he has 1,196 points on 566 goals and 630 assists in his career.

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