PHILADELPHIA – Officially Blake Coleman ranks fifth all-time in games played among Texas-born players in NHL history.
But if you dig a little deeper into the stat, he climbs the ranks significantly.
“If you look at the list, there’s not many guys that were truly raised in Texas on the list,” Coleman said after the morning skate in Philadelphia Monday. “I think, maybe, one or two other guys that truly grew up there and played youth hockey there, so if you look at the list that way, it’s even smaller.”
The Plano, Texas, product will play in his 400th NHL game tonight – a milestone only four others born in his home state have reached.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “Obviously, you reflect a little bit when you hit these milestones and these numbers. It’s come a long way from being a little Texas kid that just wanted to get out on the ice and chase some car keys around. It’s cool. It’s fun to reflect.”
Video: Blake Coleman on playing his 400th career game
New York Rangers legend Brian Leetch – a Corpus Christi native – sits atop the list of Texas-born players, but never played youth hockey in the state. Meanwhile, Vancouver Canucks blueliner Tyler Myers (Houston) and Chicago Blackhawks rearguard Seth Jones (Arlington) both spent part of their youth in Texas, before moving out of the state.
It’s category that is certainly growing, and right at the center of it is Coleman. Unquestionably in a class of his own as a two-time Stanley Cup Champion, and proudly representing the state of Texas every time he hits the ice, he’s inspiring the next wave of kids who share the same dream he had.
“Just a good reminder of the people that got you to where you are,” Coleman said. “I had a lot of good teammates growing up and guys that could have easily been in that wave as well – some that did make it, and some that didn’t, obviously. Just helps you reflect and think about your parents and guys that you played with to get you to where you are.
“This was always my dream growing up, so to be blessed and fortunate enough to play 400 is a pretty cool thing.”
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