The man that Ottawa Senators drafted with their first round pick, 12th overall in 1997, is playing in his 1,000th game when the Blackhawks take to the ice this afternoon in Detroit.
Feb 25, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa (81) reacts to scoring the game winning goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Nikolai Khabibulin (35) during overtime at the United Center. The Chicago Blackhawks beat the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 in overtime. The Blackhawks set an NHL record for scoring at least one point in 19 consecutive games to open a season. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
After a cup of coffee in the 1997-98 season, Hossa became a full time NHLer and played 7 full years in Ottawa before being traded for Dany Heatley moments after signing a new contract with the Senators. Despite the way the relationship ended in Ottawa, he is still recognized as one of the Senators’ top home-grown players in the franchise’s history.
Hossa played almost half of his 1,000 games in a Senators uniform (467 games) and still ranks 4th in Ottawa franchise history in goals (188), 6th in assists (202) and points (390). He then went on to play with the Thrashers, made the finals in back to back seasons with the Penguins and then the Red Wings (losing both times) and won a cup in Chicago in 2010.
He becomes the third player ever selected by the Senators to play in 1,000 games, after Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips.
Congratulations to Marian Hossa.