Yandle cites 'love for the game' in pursuit of NHL ironman record
Flyers defenseman set to pass Jarvis by playing 965th consecutive regular-season game Tuesday
© Len Redkoles/Getty Images
The defenseman will play his 964th consecutive regular-season game, tying Doug Jarvis' NHL record, when he skates his first shift for the Philadelphia Flyers against the Dallas Stars at Wells Fargo Center on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, BSSW, ESPN+, NHL LIVE). Yandle will pass Jarvis when the Flyers play the New York Islanders at UBS Arena the next day (7:30 p.m. ET; MSG+, NBCSP, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
"It's a love for the game and having fun," Yandle said. "At the end of the day, we're playing a game that we all dreamt of playing growing up."
Jarvis has held the record since Dec. 26, 1986, when he played in his 915th consecutive game, passing the mark held by Garry Unger.
"I think this is awesome," Jarvis said. "I wish every player has the ability to play this game and to play it injury free. ... It's a credit to him and I'm happy he's able to put a career together like this."
Yandle has been a consistent presence for four teams across 14 NHL seasons since the streak began March 26, 2009, and a positive influence for countless teammates and coaches including Flyers center Kevin Hayes, Yandle's teammate with the New York Rangers in 2014-15 and a roommate this season in Philadelphia
"He's one of my favorite teammates that I've ever played with," Hayes said. "He's a grounded human who understands what hard work is and he's just a consistent human on and off the ice. You know exactly what you're going to get from him."
Vancouver Canucks defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson was a rookie with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2010-11, when Yandle was in the third season of his streak. He credited Yandle's presence and personality for easing his transition into the NHL.
"I was kind of nervous being around older guys, guys that I've looked up to, and to be able to be around Keith, he's talking to me every day and making me feel welcome," Ekman-Larsson said. "That was big for me and I have to thank him for that. ... He's always positive and never grumpy. Maybe a few times after a couple of games or bad turnovers, but that's not very often."
Yandle has had more good games than bad during his streak. His 479 assists are second among NHL defensemen since it started (Erik Karlsson, 500) and his 572 points are third (Karlsson, 651; Brent Burns, 633). He has 13 assists in 41 games this season. In the 12 full seasons of the streak (2009-10 to 2020-21), Yandle scored at least 40 points 10 times, more than any NHL defenseman, topped by 62 points (nine goals, 53 assists) in 82 games for the Florida Panthers in 2018-19.
"'Yands' was a pleasure to coach because he's just such a good guy," said San Jose Sharks coach Bob Boughner, who coached Florida that season. "He comes to the rink every day, loves being at the rink, loves being with his teammates. ... I don't know too many people who have played with Keith who wouldn't say the same thing, that he's just a great guy and loves the game."
Yandle's everyday work ethic comes from his parents. His father, Bud, drove a truck overnight for Federal Express from Boston to Newark, New Jersey. His mother, Patti, worked as a sorter for Federal Express.
"They definitely set the tone for our family of how we were going to be as kids," Yandle said. "We saw them go to work every day and come home tired and worn down and do it day in and day out for 40 years. It's just something that when you see that as a kid, and you see your parents working multiple jobs and doing whatever they can to better your life, it's inspiring."
Not that Yandle hasn't had excuses during the streak to miss games. Playing every game of every season for 14 seasons takes a toll.
"It's kind of the way hockey players are built," he said. "You kind of try to play through as much pain as you can. Especially during the season, I don't think there's many guys that feel 100 percent. There's been some times obviously that have not felt great and it was tough sledding. It's one of those things that you just try to battle through it and try to help out your team."
There was the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 23, 2019, when Yandle was hit in the face with the puck on a dump-in by Carolina defenseman Brett Pesce. Though the injury broke Yandle's jaw and damaged or knocked out nine teeth, he was in the lineup the next day, playing a Panthers-high 23:38 against the Buffalo Sabres.
"Playing with the full cage and everything, that was kind of brutal," Yandle said. "I remember talking to (Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman) Bobby Orr after that game. He came to the game in Florida and he said, 'I don't understand, you can skate, you can play.' ... When a legend like that is saying that to you, you've got to suck it up and play."
Sometimes it was friendly fire nearly ending Yandle's streak.
"I actually took a shot, he was going through the slot and it hit his ankle and he almost missed a game because of that," Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad said of a game at the Boston Bruins on Dec. 5, 2016.
Yandle called it the closest he's come to missing a game.
"It was unbearable how painful it was," he said. "That night I remember being in my hotel room with two of the trainers working to just get it moving until 2 or 3 in the morning. I woke up and was able to move it a little bit. Once I got it in the boot, it was OK enough to go."
He was OK enough to play 23:57, most among Panthers defensemen, in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Flyers the next day.
The streak almost ended last season, when then coach Joel Quenneville planned on scratching Yandle from the Panthers opener. But Quenneville said he changed his mind after practice the day before. Yandle responded by scoring his 100th NHL goal in a 5-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
"You want to be out there every day with your teammates, and I think for me I have been fortunate," Yandle said. "I love coming to the rink whether it is practice day or game day. You love being here with the guys."
The Flyers (13-20-8) have struggled this season, sitting last in the Metropolitan Division and 0-8-3 in their past 11 games. But at age 35, with the ironman record on the horizon, Yandle still enjoys coming to the rink each day.
"I remember (retired NHL forward) Ray Whitney said to me when I was young, as long as there's an NHL symbol on your jersey, that means you're having a good day," he said. "So I haven't taken that for granted, that we play in the best league in the world with the best guys. It's truly a blessing to put on an NHL uniform every day."
