Before Patrick Marleau embarked on a 23-year, 1,779-game NHL career, he was a standout with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
During two seasons in Seattle between 1995-97, Marleau racked up 83 goals and 199 points. His seven playoff goals and 23 points led the Thunderbirds to the 1997 WHL championship round.
In a pregame ceremony Nov. 3, the T-Birds raised Marleau's #12 sweater to the rafters, only the second player in franchise history to be so honored.
Just prior to Marleau being selected second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1997 NHL Draft, The Hockey News headlined a story, "Marleau The Magician."
Here are excerpts from Rob Vanstone's profile in THN's June 1, 1997 issue:
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is coming off a 51-goal, 125-point sophomore season. He finished third in WHL scoring, nine points behind Todd Robinson of the Portland Winter Hawks.
“It’s a pretty good accomplishment to be 17 and get 50 goals,” Marleau says. Especially if you ask his GM.
“He’s in a funny position where being a really good player isn’t quite good enough,” says Seattle GM Russ Farwell. “Nobody is ever satisfied. Patrick had a tremendous year.
“What really points that out is he came so close to winning the scoring race as a 17-year-old…It really points to the depth of this one player.”
And to his potential.
“He’ll be an exciting offensive player in the NHL,” Farwell says. “He’s a great skater, he sees the ice and he makes plays. He has a chance to really be a star.”
Marleau has heard criticism about his intensity. His defensive play has also been questioned on occasion.
“There’s always going to be someone who has a bad opinion of you.” he says. “If you take everyone’s bad opinion into consideration, you’re going to be the worst player ever.”
As a youngster, Marleau played in his home town of Aneroid, Sask., population: 70.
Marleau still seizes those opportunities.
“At Christmas time, when Patrick came home, it was minus-40 weather,” recalls his father, Dennis. “He wanted me to go out and skate with him. I told him to be careful, because the air was cold and he wasn’t used to it.
“He went out and skated for 2-½ hours. He loved every minute of it.”
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