Patrick Marleau is a retired professional ice hockey player from Canada, known for his long and successful career in the NHL. He was born on September 15, 1979, in Dumfries, Ontario. Marleau was drafted second overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and played the majority of his career with the team. Over his 23 seasons in the league, Marleau became the all-time leader in games played, surpassing Gordie Howe's record. He was recognized for his speed, skill, and sportsmanship, earning multiple All-Star selections and contributing significantly to his teams' successes.