PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Sidney Crosby wasn’t the only Pens player to reach a milestone on Tuesday night against Vancouver. An assist on a power play goal was number 600 in Kris Letang’s career. He is one of four active defensemen with 600 or more assists, teammate Erik Karlsson has the most with 673.
“From the beginning, I would always say to people I didn’t think I would get here,” Letang said after a 5-1 win. “It’s just pretty surreal for me to get to that point. To also play for almost a full 20 years, it’s the type of thing that will come along the way. I was just happy to be a hockey player.”
Letang helped Justin Brazeau score his fifth goal of the season early in the third period for his second assist of the game and a 5-1 lead. The 38-year-old is 20th all-time in assists for a defenseman, 19 behind former Penguin Sergie Zubov. Ray Bourque is the all-time leader with 1,169 with Pens Hall of Famer Paul Coffey second with 1,135.
“It’s cool,” said Pens captain and 20-year teammate Sidney Crosby. “He’s played some major minutes in his career, had an important role on both sides of the puck that whole time. To see that number and to know how much he takes the defensive side serious. It’s not always easy, it’s a hard game to play. He’s created a lot of offense and we’ve been on the receiving end of those passes and those plays. It’s a great number and something that speaks to how hard he works and what kind of effort and what he puts into the game.”
“It’s an amazing accomplishment,” said Pens first-year head coach Dan Muse. “I feel like every couple of days here we are talking about another new one that’s coming up with somebody. I don’t think anybody here, in the locker room and the organization, is taking any of this for granted to be watching greatness first hand. You think about how many players, how many defensemen have come through this league, 20th all-time.”
“To reach 600 assists and how hard that is to accomplish. With Kris, you see it on a daily basis. His preparation. His dedication to the game. When you see what his daily process looks like it’s not a surprise that he’s been doing it this long and at such a high level.”
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“I just try to do my best every single night,” Letang said. “It’s not about points or offense, it’s just overall game. I try to bring my best and those things tend to come.”