“Thank you, hockey. For the lessons. The laughs. The tears. You let me live out my dreams.” These were among the words veteran forward Patrick Marleau wrote when he officially announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday. After 1,779 games and a fantastic career, Marleau has announced he’s hanging up his skates.
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The official announcement first appeared in a post on Players Tribune that he was saying goodbye after 23 NHL seasons. He didn’t play this year, unable to find a team (one he was willing to join) interested in bringing him on. He’s decided now that it’s as good a time as any to move on.
Marleau writes:
It’s bittersweet for sure, but I have so much to look forward to. Who knows what the world has in store for me. If you would have told that kid on the frozen pond that he would break a games-played record held by none other than Gordie Howe, he would have thought you were crazy. It was never something I aimed for; it was just me loving this game so much that I never, ever wanted to hang up my skates. I am beyond lucky to have had the career I had, but I did not get here by myself.
He thanked family and friends, the Sharks organization and the people of San Jose, his agent and his teammates.
Congratulations To Marleau
Congrats on a great career. You were a record-setter and a fantastic player and the NHL is better for having had you in it. You were also a great teammate, mentor and leader for some of the game’s great young talent. The legacy you leave behind will be felt for years.
Hopefully a Hall of Fame nod isn’t too far behind.
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