GOTTA SEE IT: Marleau Breaks Record; Jumbo’s Naked Tribute

The moment has arrived. Patrick Marleau has officially set the NHL’s All-Time Games Played record at 1,768 regular season games, starting for the San Jose Sharks against the Vegas Golden Knights tonight.

The NHL paid tribute as Marleau broke Howe’s record and Twitter exploded with extraordinary statistics including Marleau has played with or against 37% of players who have EVER played in the NHL. The list of tributes from some of hockey’s most notable people poured in on Monday.

Patrick Marleau finally got there in his 23rd season. And longtime teammate Joe Thornton offered a hilarious tribute, too.

It's official official. Marleau makes NHL history.#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/dGAmzDElzO

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 20, 2021

Game is stopped to congratulate Marleau pic.twitter.com/N8Op3L1dAh

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 20, 2021

Marleau receives a warm ovation from everybody, wearing gold or teal pic.twitter.com/MXbO875XhN

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 20, 2021

In interviews with San Jose Hockey Now, more than a dozen teammates and coaches revealed a different side of the San Jose Sharks legend.

Marleau got emotional with the San Jose Sharks press corps Monday morning while thanking the people who helped him throughout his milestone career and reacting to the praise he’s received from around the NHL.

Joe Thornton’s Awesome Tribute to Patrick Marleau

What a league! 🤣#HistoryMarleaud pic.twitter.com/ck0RLfQ9A7

— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 20, 2021

Reactions from Around the NHL

"It's amazing, it's hard to even put in words." @jpav8 talks about his former teammate, Patrick Marleau, who is about to break the all-time @NHL games played record tonight. pic.twitter.com/n5rRnQSTNX

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 19, 2021

"He's the epitome of the perfect player."

Darryl Sutter had nothing but praise for Patrick Marleau as he reflects on his time spent with him earlier in his career. ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/I8UknH3aW1

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 15, 2021

Tonight, @SanJoseSharks' Patrick Marleau will tie Gordie Howe's all-time games played record.

Dean Evason & Zach Parise share their thoughts ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/F6UfrAaUrD

— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) April 17, 2021

Mitch Marner began his media availability with a shout out to Patrick Marleau.

"He's one of the best people I've ever met in my life, and I think anyone that's met him is going to say the same."#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/6UfIgudo9k

— Brian Truong (@_BrianTruong) April 20, 2021

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Mindblowing Marleau Stats

Patrick Marleau is scheduled to play in his 1,768th NHL game on April 19 in Las Vegas, which would pass Gordie Howe for the most in NHL history.

Just for context, the Golden Knights won't play their 1,768th regular season game as a franchise until the 2039-40 season. https://t.co/z6KTmoxJq6

— Jesse Granger (@JesseGranger_) April 15, 2021

Mind blowing stat>> Patrick Marleau of #SJSharks has appeared in at least one game with 37% of every #NHL player who has ever played in the 104 year history of the league (3009 of 8100)
Source @SharksStats pic.twitter.com/TkSU0jiOPN

— Jonathan Becher (@jbecher) April 17, 2021

Most games from age 30-39, NHL history
>Patrick Marleau 786
Jarome Iginla 776
Ron Francis 771
Martin St. Louis 770
Larry Murphy 754

12. Joe Thornton 730
26. Gordie Howe 695

>Marleau: didn't miss a game in his 30's#NHLStats

— Darin Stephens (@SharksStats) April 12, 2021

Martin St. Louis made his NHL debut, played 1,134 games, retired, had his number retired in Tampa Bay, waited out the waiting period and then was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the time since Patrick Marleau made his NHL debut to now.#SJSharks pic.twitter.com/zC4DCWWZaB

— Complete Hockey News (@CompleteHkyNews) April 19, 2021

Marleau Memories

A LOT has changed since Patrick Marleau first stepped on the ice in the NHL! 🤣

Tonight, he ties the record for the most games played. pic.twitter.com/x0UPTWiMTl

— NHL (@NHL) April 17, 2021

A look at Marleau over the years…

Congrats on tying Gordie Howe's record tonight, Patty! pic.twitter.com/t5ek4sdhyY

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) April 18, 2021

This is a photo from Patrick Marleau's first season as a T-Bird. Tonight, Patrick will set a new @NHL record for Games Played. Our organization is in awe of this amazing accomplishment. We wish Patrick, his family, and the @SanJoseSharks all the best on this historic night. pic.twitter.com/IwOGs1Spgv

— Seattle Thunderbirds (@SeattleTbirds) April 19, 2021