Inductees

Player

Patrick Marleau

Growing up on a family farm near Aneroid, Sask., is where future NHL legend Patrick Marleau learned the value of hard work and responsibility. His humble beginnings started with shooting pucks against the barn and being coached by his father Denis in minor hockey.

In 1995, Marleau played a crucial role in helping secure his province’s only gold medal in boys’ hockey at the Canada Winter Games with Team Saskatchewan. His goal in the final not only showcased his exceptional young talent but also served as a preview of a remarkable career about to unfold.

After his stint with the Under-18 AAA Swift Current Legionnaires, Marleau's journey accelerated with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He soared with the Thunderbirds as he led the team in scoring at age 17 and later became the captain.

In 1997, he was drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks, where he spent the majority of a storied 23-year NHL career. He helped San Jose reach its only Stanley Cup final appearance in 2016 but they were defeated by the Pittsburgh Penguins. On April 19, 2021, Marleau made history by breaking the late Gordie Howe's record for the most NHL games played with his 1,768th. With this achievement, he solidified his place as an iconic figure in the hockey world, embodying the values of perseverance, and an unwavering love for the game.

Upon his retirement from playing professionally, his record for regular-season games rests in the Guinness World Records at 1,779. This achievement was aided by 910 consecutive games played by Marleau which is fifth most in NHL history. He also added 195 playoff bouts for a total of 1,974 games, second overall only to Mark Messier with 1,992. San Jose would retire his number 12 in February 2023 in the first jersey retirement for the Californian franchise. Additionally, Marleau is 24th for most regular-season goals with 566, with the only Saskatchewan-born player ahead of him being Gordie Howe.

In international play, Marleau captured four gold medals with Team Canada, which included two as an Olympian and one on home soil at the Winter Olympics in 2010.

His contributions extend far beyond numbers; it's about the passion, perseverance, and humble skillset he brought to every game during his longstanding tenure. Following his retirement, Marleau leaves a lasting mark forever etched in the NHL history books and the hearts of hockey fans.

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