VANCOUVER, British Columbia — There’s a couple wisps of gray in Patrick Marleau’s hair now. A few also spring up in his beard as well, whenever he allows himself the chance to grow it out.
Otherwise, not much has changed. Marleau, in his 19th NHL season, still displays the same deft scoring touch, the same quick release, and on Thursday, and uncanny knack for history.
Marleau became a member of one of the most exclusive clubs in hockey Thursday, scoring his 500th NHL goal in the first period of what became a 4-1 Sharks win over the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.