But 1,000 games in the National Hockey League? That's an accomplishment the defenseman couldn't fathom.
"For so long I've just come here every day like, 'I've got to get there. I've got to stay here,'" Goligoski said ahead of the milestone game against the Vancouver Canucks on Oct. 20. "I think I've always kind of had that feeling a little bit which I think is good. It keeps me motivated. I don't know. I don't think I've ever really felt comfortable or anything. I'll just try to keep improving and keep working hard and see how long we can go here.
To register 1,000 NHL games is an achievement that a mere 370 players in the league have reached, and of that less than half (122) are defensemen.
"I think when I got 500 I was like, 'I can't believe people play 1,000. That's crazy.' Now here we are," said Goligoski, whose career now spans 15 seasons. "It's cool. Not a lot of people get to do it. I feel very lucky."
Goligoski was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He played three years with the Gophers before joining the Penguins in 2007 through 2009, winning the Stanley Cup with the 2009 squad.
He was traded to the Dallas Stars on Feb. 21, 2011, and signed a four-year contract extension in 2012 to stay in the Lonestar State before being traded to the Arizona Coyotes in 2016. Goligoski was a mainstay on the blue line with Arizona for five years before he decided to test free agency in 2021.
That's when home came calling. The Wild signed the State of Hockey native to a one-year deal on July 28, 2021 and on March 30, 2022 extended his contract two years.
"I don't know how many people are able to do that with the hometown team," said Goligoski, who guesses more than 20 family and friends were in attendance for his 1,000th game. "It's really cool how everything has happened. Just feel very fortunate."
But beyond the Cup (1), goals (85) and assists (374), Goligoski has found a longevity in a league that isn't very accommodating to aging players.
"One season is so long, and you could only imagine how he's felt sometimes along the way, and he just keeps battling every day," said linemate Calen Addison, who has played just 22 NHL games. "He's here working hard and with a smile on his face.
"I mean, to learn from a guy like that every day and, you know, any older guy like that, that has the experience that he has is something that I cherish every day. And, you know, it's crazy how much you really can learn on and off the ice from guys like that and I'm so happy for him."
