EBERLE NEARS NHL CAREER MILESTONE
Will be 21st Sask.-born player to see action in 1,000 contests, writes
It doesn't seem so long ago that Jordan Eberle was scampering to W.S. Hawrylak School, playing shinny games in his east Regina neighbourhood, joining the elite hockey program at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, advancing to stardom with the WHL'S Regina Pats, scoring historical goals at world junior championships and making the NHL'S Edmonton Oilers as a 2008 firstround draft choice.
He's now poised to play his 1,000th NHL game Tuesday, when his third NHL team — the three-year-old Seattle Kraken — play host to the Vegas Golden Knights.
“For whatever reasons the NHL puts some emphasis on 1,000 games,” Eberle said while driving home from a recent practice. “They hand out a silver stick and I'm not sure how many guys have gotten one, about 300 or 400. When you get in the league it's not really a number you think about. You're just trying to stay in the league as you start off, try to establish yourself as an NHL player. As the years go by the numbers start to rack up. It's very special.
“When I was at the end of my career in Regina, I remember someone I looked up to, (former Pat) Mike Sillinger, got his 1,000th game. Our path had similar roots and I always thought that was pretty neat. I don't wanna say I've ever had that goal in mind, but you try to play as long as you can and eventually it hopefully comes.”
Eberle is a married father of two, about to turn 34 and playing for a franchise that didn't exist when he was growing up. His entire family — including his parents, brother and two sisters who moved to Calgary from Regina during his junior career — expects to attend Tuesday's celebratory game at Climate Pledge Arena.
Eberle's first 507 games were with the Oilers, before he was traded in 2017 to the New York Islanders. After four seasons in New York he was unprotected in the expansion draft and claimed as an original member of the Kraken.
“They gave me a chance to be successful early on (in Edmonton),” said Eberle. “The fans know what it's like to win there and it's really hard that we didn't get a chance.”
The trade to Long Island was a surprise. As was the transfer to Seattle.
“From the time Barry (Trotz, New York's head coach) and Lou (Lamoriello, general manager) took over, it was a tough adjustment, but they really helped me develop ... as a 200-foot player. We didn't have the most skilled players, but we had a buy-in factor and a close-knit group.
“We came within a win of going to the Cup, so at first with the expansion drop I was super disappointed. I didn't have Seattle on my radar. Because Vegas had gotten to the Cup in its first year, that loomed over us. For the guys who stayed, it motivated us to be part of a great organization since Day One and build the stepping-stones. Teams I've been on in Long Island and Edmonton, they were dynasties, winning Cups before I was born. I hope we can make a push to get back in the post-season because that's how you build dynasties.”
According to Quanthockey.com,
there have been 525 Saskatchewan-born players in the NHL; Eberle will be the 21st to reach 1,000 games. In that group is the all-time leader in NHL games played with 1,779, Patrick Marleau of Aneroid, and legendary Gordie Howe of Floral, whose 1,767 games don't include another 419 in the now-defunct World Hockey Association.
“That's amazing to have that many guys from Saskatchewan,” said Eberle. “Saskatchewan guys love the game, I guess that's what it is. They stay healthy and they love the game.”
After Regina's Ryan Getzlaf retired in 2022 with 1,157 games and 1,019 points, Eberle became Saskatchewan's active leader in both categories. Eberle had 296 goals and 399 assists for 695 points heading into his 999th game, Friday against the visiting Winnipeg Jets.
“I've had a numerous amount of amazing teammates and coaches. And my family! It's too hard a journey to do by yourself, so you need a support system,” said Eberle.
“I hope I have some years in front of me. I still feel good out there and the biggest thing is I still have joy and love and passion to play hockey. If anything, it's gone up. As you get older there's really only one thing in mind and that's to win the Stanley Cup. If I could put that on my resume, there's not much more you could do.”