Jonathan Marchessault played his first full NHL season at 26 years old, the rest is history, still going strong

[Artorius Horus T]

Undrafted, signed an AHL contract at 21, signed his first NHL contract next season, but first 4 years as a pro went in the AHL,
with just 4 games in the NHL, started his 5th pro career season in the AHL, finished it with about 40 games up, in the NHL.

At 26, his first full NHL season, as a member of the Florida Panthers, 30 goals and 51 points.
then comes Vegas Golden Knights and their inaugural season and the expansion draft, we all know what happened there..
- the rest is history, that still keeps on going and going

For Vegas; 194 goals, 419 points in 508 regular season games | 37 goals, 40 assists, 77 points in 94 playoffs games
Stanley Cup winner, Conn Smythe winner at 33


Always keep dreaming, it might take some time to reach those dreams, but its worth it.

Click to read more...

 

[MadLuke]

That said when you make $750,000 a year playing hockey with a superb and lucrative career ahead even if you never play in the nhl, relatively easy to keep at it (and obviously worth it even if the dream never come true, that a giant lot of money now playing a whole career in the AHL).

 

[sr edler]

With all due respect but Marchessault is active and hardly a HOH topic.

Nice enough player, but last playoffs and last RS was propped up a bit by Eichel.

 

[VanIslander]

For the record...

At age 26, Brian Rafalski entered the NHL, before that being a star in Finland. He went on to win Stanley Cups in New Jersey & Detroit. He scored a whopping 100 NHL playoff points from age 26 onward, as a defenseman.

Top that.

 

[Sentinel]

I love Marchessault! Was super happy for him when he won the Smythe.

 

[Crosby2010]

For the record...

At age 26, Brian Rafalski entered the NHL, before that being a star in Finland. He went on to win Stanley Cups in New Jersey & Detroit. He scored a whopping 100 NHL playoff points from age 26 onward, as a defenseman.

Top that.

Mr. Johnny Bower tops that I think.

As for Marchessault's career I have liked him since the first season in Vegas. He is one of those guys you could pick for the Olympic team and you might know that there is a better player that could be picked ahead of him but you also wouldn't regret having him on the team.

 

[VanIslander]

Of course Bower was greater when older.

But entering the league "at age 26" with playoff success, the modern defenseman Rafalski immediately came to mind.