Forward Patrick Marleau announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending a career in which he set an NHL record with 1,779 games played in 23 seasons.
The 42-year-old veteran, originally from Aneroid, Saskatchewan, confirmed the information in a text published on The Player’s Tribune.
At a press conference also attended by his wife, their four sons and former teammates, Marleau said he found it difficult not to play an entire season for the first time in his career, in 2021-2022.
“I have a hugely renewed respect for my wife and my family and everything they’ve had to go through while I was away — just the day-to-day things,” Marleau said. I can’t wait to be the best father and husband I can be. »
Marleau hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2020-21 season, when he had four goals and five assists in 56 games with the San Jose Sharks. He also took the opportunity to surpass the mark of 1,767 career games played in the NHL, which until then belonged to the legendary Gordie Howe.
Marleau has totaled 1,197 points (566 goals, 631 assists) in his career on the Bettman circuit, especially with the Sharks. He also spent two seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and appeared in eight games with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He added 127 points (72 goals, 55 assists) to his record in 195 playoff games.
Sweater soon to be retired
Marleau, who was selected second overall by the Sharks in the 1997 NHL Draft, will hang up his skates knowing he is the California franchise’s all-time leader in goals, points, goals in powerplay (161), shorthanded goals (17) and game-winning goals (101).
However, he was never able to lift the Stanley Cup during his long hockey career. He allowed the Sharks to reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, but they lost in six games to the Penguins.
On the international scene, Marleau also contributed to Canada’s Olympic gold medal wins in Vancouver in 2010 and Sochi in 2014, the 2004 World Cup and the 2003 World Championships.
During the press conference, the Sharks showed a video tribute along with messages from former teammates Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton.
“Patrick Marleau, double Olympic gold medalist. World and World Cup champion. All-time NHL leader in games played. Scorer of more than 500 goals. It’s crazy,” mentioned Thornton.
“At 14and rank in history for playoff goals. You were there when it mattered, he continued. Your teammates loved you deeply. We all love you very much. Happy retirement, my friend. You deserved it. »
Sharks president Jonathan Becher said the club plans to retire Marleau’s jersey next season.