Predators’ Luke Schenn Reaches 1,000 Game Milestone – Hockey Writers – THW News Desk

It was a disappointing loss for the Nashville Predators on Thursday night at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers, but for one Predators player – Luke Schenn – it was an epic night that may have, at one point, seemed like a dream.

For the veteran defenseman, it marked his 1,000th NHL regular season game making him the 399th player in NHL history to reach that mark. For Schenn, it was a long time coming. It’s a milestone that took the road to the AHL after the franchise’s hopes were placed on his shoulders as a 19-year-old.

Drafted fifth overall in 2008 by the Toronto Maple Leafs, some believed Schenn would be the team’s savior. At the age of 19, he entered the league of a little-known team. He played four seasons in Toronto before joining the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012-13 as a 23-year-old.

“It hasn’t been an easy road, really, at times,” said Schenn on his way to 1,000 games played. “I’ve experienced highs, in terms of winning in the League, and lows and being young in the middle of my career. To persevere and reach this number, it’s not so much a game but I think I’m very proud of the journey. I couldn’t have drawn it or predicted the way it went.”

Officially welcoming Luke Schenn to the silver wand club 👏

Congratulations @PredsNHL defenseman to hit NHL game number 1,000! pic.twitter.com/bA0VUo9i6x

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) October 18, 2024

Schenn was a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning and helped them win the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021 before returning to the Maple Leafs in 2022-23 for 15 games following the trade deadline.

Hitting his 1,000th game makes him the eighth first-rounder since 2008 to reach that milestone with Tyler Myers sitting at 999, and the eighth player overall since that draft to hit 1,000. He is also the 129th defenseman in NHL history to reach the mark.