Flyer’s defenseman Keith Yandle became the league’s new Iron Man on Tuesday night, taking part in his 965th consecutive game. The total now puts him in sole possession of first place after tying Doug Jarvis’ all time record on Monday.
Yandle’s streak began back in 2009 when he was a member of the Coyotes organization. Though he made his NHL debut during the 2006-07 season, Yandle was up and down between the AHL & NHL as the team eased him into big league action.
Originally selected in the 4th round, 105th overall, by the Coyotes in the 2005 NHL entry draft, the 35 year old has spent parts of seasons with the Coyotes, Rangers, Panthers and Flyers throughout his career. A veteran of 1,075 games played, Yandle now has a chance to become the first player in NHL history to suit up for 1000 consecutive games, a feat he could accomplish this year.
Making the feat perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Yandle was able to set the mark while playing through seasons where COVID protocols wreaked havoc on NHL schedules.
Like any hockey player, there were numerous close calls due to injury over the years. However Yandle’s closest brush with the streak ending came during his time with the Florida Panthers, where their youth movement fueled roster nearly caused the Boston, MA native to be a healthy scratch for a game.
Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and Yandle was able to finish the season in the sunshine state. When asked about the bumps and bruises over the years, Yandle replied “It’s how hockey players are built. You play through as much pain as you can. There have obviously been sometimes when I have not felt great, when it was tough sledding. But you try to battle through it and help out your team”.
While Yandle’s streak is impressive, he won’t be able to take his foot off the gas anytime soon. That’s because nipping at his heels is Phil Kessel who has suited up for 941 straight contests and counting. Only 34 years old, Kessel’s streak also began back in 2009, essentially putting him in a dead heat with Yandle moving forward.
The Philadelphia Flyers weren’t able to earn a victory in Tuesday’s game against the Islanders, putting a small damper on Yandle’s big night. The defeat makes it 13 straight contests where the Flyers have failed to earn a win. That mark sets a new franchise record for futility and drops them to 13-22-8 on the year. A record that puts them in the basement of the Metropolitan division, and 27th overall in the league.
Yandle and his Flyers teammates will look to keep the defenseman’s streak going at home Saturday against Los Angeles.