Now just 100 games away from 1,000, the 35-year-old forward has already scored 264 goals, racked up 543 points and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
"He's the best," Panthers forward Ryan Lomberg said. "There's no mystery to why he's won two Stanley Cups. He's the most-intense guy you'll ever be around, and he's like that 110% of the time. Even in the summers, he's the same guy. For a guy like that, 900 games playing that way is not easy to do. He plays hard always. I can't tell you how much respect I have for that guy."
When asked about his longevity, Hornqvist couldn't point to just one thing.
After all, a career is a complicated thing. No matter how great you are as a player, everyone needs help. During his early days in Nashville, Hornqvist said it was veterans like Shea Weber and Jason Arnott that showed him the way. But even with that, it still takes more to succeed.
Often it comes down to just needing a team to believe in you.
But at every stage of his career, Hornqvist has first and foremost believed in himself.
"Just stay healthy and being fit and playing with good players and getting opportunities with good coaches and good GMs and all that," Hornqvist said. "You have to get a little luck, too, to play many games in the NHL. At the same time, it's comes from my heart. I try to be the best I can be every time I step onto the ice or in the gym. I think that's why I am where I am right now."
It's that sort of work ethic that has made Hornqvist an ideal mentor for many of the young players on the Panthers. And while he could simply lead by example if he so chose, he instead stands out as one of the most-vocal players both on the ice and in the locker room.
"He'll let you know if things are going well, but he'll also let you know if things aren't going well," said Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe, flashing a big smile. "He brings so much energy to the team. If it gets quiet on the bench, he's the first one to step up and start screaming."
Paul Maurice believes that sort of constant energy is one of Hornqvist's most valuable exports.
"That's the strength of his leadership," the Panthers head coach said. "It's practices, in games, every shift, every drill, and hyper-vocal while he's doing it. He brings energy and he gives energy. He's played every one of those games hard."
With no plans to stop anytime soon, that's how he'll keep playing as well.
"I haven't changed from my first game to my 900th game, "Hornqvist said. "It's just the personality that I have. I like to be in the mix and create energy around me."
