Patrick Marleau reaches a BIG milestone tonight!

Tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, Patrick Marleau became the 45th player in NHL history to score 500 career goals.

What makes it even more special is the fact that he has scored all of those goals with the same team, the San Jose Sharks. He is the 18th player in NHL history to score 500 goals with the same team and the 1st in Sharks history.

It's crazy to think that his first season with the Sharks was way back in 1997-98. He has shown how consistency and staying healthy can really make a difference. He has been one of the more quiet players to reach 500 goals. I am sure most of us didn't even realize that this is his 19th season with the Sharks. He has always had a great shot and that has helped him to continue to fire pucks past goaltenders consistently. He hasn't scored less than 17 goals in a season since the 99-2000 campaign which just goes to show just how constant and reliable he has been. 

He will definitely go down as one of the best if not the best San Jose Shark of all time. He next milestone would be to reach the 1,500 games played mark which he will have to play next season to be able to reach.

Congrats Patrick!