Reaching the mark of 1,000 NHL games played is something less than one per cent of players have done all time, and for Sam Gagner, it was anything but straightforward.
Despite three separate stints in the AHL, Gagner, 33, repeatedly made it back to the NHL. On Dec. 29 against the Vancouver Canucks, he became the 375th player ever to reach the milestone of 1,000 NHL games played.
On Wednesday, Gagner reflected on the achievement, the ceremony, and the ups-and-downs of his career in an interview on The Jeff Marek Show.
“The ceremony that the Jets put on was incredible, and not something I was really expecting,” said the 33-year-old. “It was an emotional couple of days, but, at the same time, I'm happy it's over – I can just focus and get back to playing hockey.”
During the game, Gagner received a video tribute from family, friends and former teammates. When the game ended, the downpour of congratulatory messages did not.
“I looked after the game and I had 85 text messages,” said Gagner. “It's really nice to have that support from friends, family, people around the league – it's been a long road to get there."
Now in his 16th season, the London, Ontario native entered the league with high expectations. He was picked sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2007, and his father, Dave Gagner, played nearly 1,000 NHL games himself.
While Gagner has now surpassed his father in terms of NHL longevity, it hasn’t always seemed likely: while 376 players have reached 1,000 games, far fewer have done so after being sent down to the AHL.
“You expect to take another step and find yourself in the minors year later... I got called up and then sent back down,” he said. “That's when you start to question how your career is going to end up.”
Through the ups and downs, Gagner credits his wife, Rachel, and his family for giving him the support to persist.
“I have a ton of support, and it's not possible without that,” said Gagner. “[My wife] put up with moving our family around, allowing me to chase my dream and then keeping me keeping me sane throughout it all – I couldn't ask for anything more.”
Gagner has 191 goals and 326 assists for a total of 517 points across his career, and the silky stick-handling veteran isn’t thinking about calling it quits anytime soon.
“I'm 33 years old and I feel like I have a few years left in me, so I just want to keep putting my best foot forward and helping the Jets win games,” said Gagner. “I don't know exactly how it's gonna shake out, but … I love the game, the game has given me and my family a ton.”
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