PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Everyone on the team wore a replica of his 58 jersey during warmups and they all stretched in his unique style as the team and his teammates honored Kris Letang’s 1,000th career game.
“He’s a leader of this team,” said Brian Dumoulin, who spent more time as his partner than any other defenseman. “He wants to win, he’s very competitive. The road has not been easy for him, he should be really, really proud of this accomplishment.”
His son Alex pre-recorded the introduction in saying "And playing in his 1,000th NHL game, my dad, Kris Letang!". Then Alex skated onto the ice with his father during the final warmup. The team then played a tribute video with messages from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. The Pens presented him with a picture and flowers for his wife and daughter, Victoria, as they stood on a red carpet in the corner of the ice. They also presented Alex and Victoria with commemorative silver sticks.
“It’s great,” Crosby said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together. He’s kinda taken the long road to get to 1,000. He’s been through a lot and obviously he’s been in the battle through a number of injuries. It’s probably more than 1,000 given the way he plays and the amount of minutes he plays.”
The team also played several video messages from his former teammates and Penguins greats during stoppages in play.
“It’s a privilege to coach him,” said Pens head coach Mike Sullivan. “His care factor, his compete-level, his professionalism is off the charts”.
“I think he’s one of the guys that has really personified what it means to be a Pittsburgh Penguin. We witness it every day with his work ethic. His incredible appetite to be the best he can be and his care factor for the Pittsburgh Penguins and helping us win and have success. I know what it means for him.”
“I couldn’t be more honored to be his coach. I think he’s a warrior.”