PITTSBURGH – Now that it’s over and done with, Patrick Marleau allowed himself to reflect a bit on just how enormous it is to record 1,000 career NHL points.
The franchise’s all-time leading scorer registered a first period assist on Saturday in Pittsburgh, becoming just the 83rd NHL player to reach the lofty figure.
“You never know what it’s about until it’s actually done and over with,” Marleau said. “Just having everybody come up and congratulate me, and throwing different numbers out there, it starts to take a little bit of shape how big it is. Obviously a lot of teammates were a part of it over the years, and it wouldn’t happen without them.”
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Marleau has spent all 1,349 games of his career with the Sharks, currently in his 18th season. He’s just the 36th player to record 1,000 points all with one franchise.
“There’s only so many people that have done that, so it’s one of those things you can consider yourself part of that group,” he said.
[REWIND: Sharks get contributions from everyone in latest win]
Lately, Marleau may be playing his best hockey of the year. Coach Pete DeBoer shifted the 36-year-old to the center position at the start of the road trip, and the Sharks have won all five games.
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After posting a pair of assists on Saturday, Marleau has two goals and two assists in his last four games. He has 13 points (6g, 7a) in 20 games this season.
Assistant coach Steve Spott, who spoke to the media after the game in head coach Pete DeBoer’s absence, said: “I watched him as an opposing coach and a fan, now to actually work with him is something pretty special. What he did tonight not only for himself but for the San Jose Sharks hockey club is pretty special.”
Paul Martin said: “It's pretty remarkable. There’s only so many guys that have got to that milestone, and I think just for a guy of his size and his age, to continue to produce and move the way that he moves and skate as fast and powerful as he does...he’s a great guy on and off the ice, too, as a teammate I’ve noticed so far. He deserves it.”
That the milestone was reached in Pittsburgh is coincidental in that the Sharks drafted Marleau with the second overall pick in 1997 at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena, which has since been demolished.
“That’s really cool. Being drafted here and now getting 1,000 points here, that’s some significance here in Pittsburgh,” he said. “That’s something I’ll always remember.”
[RELATED: Marleau registers 1,000th career point]
The Penguins recognized Marleau’s achievement on the jumbotron. He received a respectful round of applause from the sellout crowd.
“That was pretty unexpected but a very classy move on Pittsburgh, and I thank them for doing that,” he said, also mentioning the home team recognizing Martin’s return to Pittsburgh after five seasons.
The Sharks will recognize Marleau’s achievement on Dec. 1 before a game with the Penguins at SAP Center.
Marleau is the Sharks franchise leader in games played (1,349), goals (462), points (1,001), power-play goals (143) and game-winning goals (90).