San Jose Sharks’ Patrick Marleau breaks Gordie Howe’s NHL record for games played

Gordie Howe's scoring records were once considered unbreakable until Wayne Gretzky arrived.

Now his longevity record has been broken, too.

San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau, 41, suited up and took the ice for his 1,768th game Monday night in Las Vegas against the Golden Knights, passing the late Hockey Hall of Famer.

Marleau said Hall of Famer Mark Howe called to say that his dad would be proud that his record was being broken by another "small-town, small-farm boy from Saskatchewan."

Marleau was drafted second overall in 1997 by the Sharks and made his NHL debut on Oct. 1, 1997, at 18 years, 16 days old. He's the youngest person in the last 76 years to suit up for an NHL game.

More than 23 years later, he set the record in his 21st season with the Sharks, a testament to his durability. Monday's game extended his iron man streak to 899 games, fourth all-time. 

Marleau got the start Monday night, so his record became official with the drop of the puck. After a stoppage in play, a video message congratulating Marleau on the feat from NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was played on the T-Mobile Arena jumbotron. 

“To be merely mentioned in the same sentence as Gordie Howe is an achievement most hockey players can only dream about. To break one of his records is historic.” – A message from @NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to Patrick Marleau pic.twitter.com/lUnQsex6UY

"To be merely mentioned in the same sentence as Gordie Howe is an achievement most hockey players can only dream about," Bettman said. "To break one of his records is historic." 

The fans in Las Vegas then gave Marleau a rousing standing ovation. 

An absolutely incredible moment for Patty ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/SQJE7Ajspe

"I’ve met a lot of great teammates, great friends over the years, within the game, outside of the game, chiropractors, doctors, massage therapists, specialists all around," he told reporters Saturday after tying the record. "To have that support, you don’t get to play this many games or play this long without everyone helping along the way, and I’ve definitely had my share of help from all those people.”

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