Mr. 1000
In the century plus that the NHL has existed, only 357 skaters had ever played in 1000 career games. That was until tonight when Derick Brassard hit the ice early in the first period to officially log his 1000th career game and become number 358.
Brassard was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets with the sixth overall pick of the 2006 NHL Draft, 16 picks ahead of now teammate, Claude Giroux. He spent the first six seasons of his career in Central Ohio before being traded to the New York Rangers. In that time he tallied 58 goals and 111 assists for 169 points in 309 career games, the longest tenure of his career.
In New York Brassard got to put his talent to the test right away playing for the playoffs for the first time of his career just a few weeks after the trade. His first playoff experience he was a point per game player, logging 12 points in 12 games before the Rangers were eliminated in the second round. While that pace didn't continue, New York still proved to be his best destination in terms of offensive output scoring 69 goals and 105 assists for 174 points in 254 games before being traded to the Ottawa Senators.
In Brassard's first stint for the Senators he earned the nickname 'Big Game Brass' for his uncanny ability to score goals when the team needed them most. Perhaps most notably when he scored against the New York Rangers with under 90 seconds left in game five of the second-round of the NHL playoffs to send the game to overtime where the Senators would win. In 139 games Brassard potted 32 goals and 45 assists for 77 points, creating plenty of memories along the way including the Senators last great playoff run.
When Derick Brassard was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February of 2018, this kicked off the journeyman stage of his career. Between the 2017-18 season and the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, Brassard played for the Penguins, Panthers, Avalanche, Islanders, Coyotes, Flyers and the Oilers. In 249 games across those seven teams, Brassard played a variety of roles, lighting the lamp 43 times and adding 59 assists for 102 points.
Of course, Brassard knew he wanted to hit 1000 career games after getting so close and speaking with his family and friends he decided the only place he wanted to do it was his hometown team, the Senators. He came into camp on a professional tryout, made the team not knowing what his role would be and now is here 49 games later playing a key role in the success of the Senators.
Brassard's presence and importance on this team cannot be overstated. Below is all the evidence you need to know how much love this group has for him.
Below is the breakdown of how Brassard got to 1000 career NHL games:
Columbus Blue Jackets: 309 GP
New York Rangers: 254 GP
Ottawa Senators (two stints): 188 GP
Pittsburgh Penguins: 54 GP
Florida Panthers: 10 GP
Colorado Avalanche: 20 GP
New York Islanders: 66 GP
Arizona Coyotes: 53 GP
Philadelphia Flyers: 31 GP
Edmonton Oilers: 15 GP
NHL Career 1000 GP
