Marleau reflects on breaking Howe’s record

Patrick Marleau became emotional Monday morning as he spoke about the individuals that have helped him throughout his historic NHL career, reflecting on the complements opposing players and coaches have showered on him in recent days.

“It’s super special to have that respect, to have guys say such kind words,” Marleau said. “You go into battle with these guys, day in and day out, you play against them.

“They know the grind, they know what it takes to play in this league, and for them to show the respect and have all these kind words, it’s very humbling.”

Marleau on Monday night will play in his 1,768th career NHL regular season game, passing Gordie Howe for No. 1 on the league’s all-time games played list. The record will become official when the puck drops shortly after 7 p.m., as Marleau will be in the Sharks’ starting lineup for their game with the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Marleau said he’s spoken to members of Howe’s family, who reached out to him to congratulate him on his breaking reaching this milestone.

Mark Howe, one of Gordie’s sons, sent Marleau a congratulatory text Sunday.

“I got his message yesterday and it meant the world to me,” said Marleau. who also received messages of congratulations from Wayne Gretzky and numerous former teammates. “Then we exchanged messages, but the message he left me was ... I’m very grateful.”

Marleau said part of Howe’s message to him was that it was apropos that both his father were from small towns in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. Gordie Howe grew up in a town called Floral and Marleau is from Aneroid, which has a population of less than 100 people.

“It’s something I’m pretty proud of, being from Saskatchewan and Gordie being from Saskatchewan, I think that’s a pretty cool connection,” Marleau said.

“That was part of the part of the message that Mark gave to me yesterday, was that it’s kind of fitting that I am from Saskatchewan and that’s where Gordie was from, and that’d he be very proud that breaking the record tonight (was) a small town farm boy from Saskatchewan.”

Marleau also spoke about his first agent in the NHL, Don Baizley, who passed away in 2013.

“All that he did for me through

out my career,” Marleau said, pausing momentarily, “was extremely amazing for me. I wish I could say more, but he definitely was a huge part of my career.”

Along with Marleau’s wife, Christina, and their four sons, several members of his extended family will be in attendance. His parents, Denis and Jeanette, and his brother Richard and sister Denise will not be able to attend. The U.SCanadian border is closed to non-essential travel.

Marleau said his wife and children have been his biggest supporters. About his immediate family, Marleau said. “none of this would be possible, not even playing in the NHL, if it wasn’t for mom and dad, my brother and sister.”

Players and coaches throughout the NHL have talked in recent days about the enormity of Marleau’s achievement.

“This is more than just a personal milestone,” Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson said. “This is a statement to every player that has played this game at any point in time.

“This is an accomplishment that I don’t think that anyone saw coming, and it’s one that’s been creeping up on us fast. We still haven’t been able to grasp or realize that it’s actually going to happen until now. This is just not only a historic moment for Patty and for this organization, but it’s an historic moment for the entire league and every player that has played this game, whether with against him.”

Coach Bob Boughner said at the of the team’s meeting Monday morning, he spoke about Marleau and how honored he was to first play against him in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and then coach him in his time with the Sharks’ organization.

“Just seeing how his whole career has unfolded and the commitment and passion he has,” Boughner said. “We took a minute to recognize that this morning as a team, and to understand the history that Patty is about to make and us being a part of it.

“It’s going to be something that we talk about for years. These guys will be telling their children.”

The Sharks also made up special shirts and hoodies that recognize Marleau’s achievement. Boughner said the team will “do something special” for Marleau before the game, although Marleau said he wasn’t sure Monday morning what the presentation might entail.

“I may end up learning a little bit more as the day goes on, but I’m just trying to keep things simple and focused,” Marleau said “Just walking into the dressing room, there’s a lot of great things I’ve seen so far on T-shirts and sweaters.

“I know there’s been a lot of work that has gone into this day on a lot of people’s parts. I’m very thankful for all the work that’s been done.”

Golden Knights coach Pete DeBoer, who coached Marleau with the Sharks from 2015 to 2017, and again in 2019, said the achievement was “mind-boggling.”