A grand game for Gagner

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This article was published 28/12/2022 (983 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Welcome to Club 1,000, Sam Gagner.

The Winnipeg Jets forward will become the 375th NHL player to hit that major games-played milestone when he laces up his skates Thursday night at Canada Life Centre, fittingly against one of his former teams.

“It certainly feels good to get there,” the 33-year-old said following Wednesday’s practice. “I’ve had my ups and downs for sure. Getting sent down (to the minors) by Vancouver (in 2017-18) and then the following year by Edmonton, you question how your career is going to end up. But you keep pushing along, keep trying to adjust to the modern game.”

Approximately 20 family members and close friends will be on hand to witness the special night, including his wife and three young children.

“Regardless of who you are, you’re going to go through adversity through your career. You find out what you’re made of and you keep trying to push through,” said Gagner. “That’s where the support comes in. My wife, my parents, helping through those times. It makes these moments that much more special. Certainly, excited for (Thursday) night.”

Versatility is key, especially for a guy who entered the league as an 18-year-old highly-touted scorer, one drafted sixth-overall by the Oilers in 2007. Now, he’s traditionally in more of a bottom-six, checking-type role depending on circumstance.

“He’s had to evolve over the years to play different ways. I think he’s done a fantastic job. He should be very proud of where he’s at,” said Jets associate coach Scott Arniel.

“From the start, he’s been really good with the young guys, he’s passing on wisdom that he’s learned over the years. Maybe somebody is struggling and I’ve seen him talking to those guys. He’s had to change his game. He was sort of an all-out offensive guy when he came into the league. Now he’s realized that his play without the puck has got to be just as important. So he becomes a good example for others.”

Winnipeg is his seventh NHL organization, and the injury-ravaged roster has meant added responsibilities at times. Gagner, who has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 32 games this year, is expected to skate on a top line Thursday with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor.

“Having played with him this half a season, his love for the game. I think that’s something he brings to our team. And for young guys and everyone else in the locker room, he loves coming to the rink every day, loves practising and talking about sticks and tape jobs and little skills and stuff like that,” said Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey.

“That kind of energy and excitement about the game is a big reason I think he’s going to achieve this milestone. I think it’s one of the ultimate achievements as a player. Something that we all have a big admiration for.”

Gagner came by it naturally as his father, Dave, played 946 NHL games over his 15-year career and was obviously a big factor developing his love for the sport.

“I think it started like most kids. You want to be like your dad,” said Gagner.

“I think being able to be around NHL rinks and watch him was certainly really special as a young kid. When he retired and we moved to Ontario, and I had a rink in my backyard, that’s when it clicked for me. All my friends were playing hockey, they were coming over and playing on the backyard rink. That’s when I developed my passion, that creativity and unstructured environment really helped me to thrive and enjoy the game in a new way.”

Gagner has 516 points (190 goals, 326 assists) during his career so far, including a four goal, four assist night back in 2012 that tied an Edmonton Oilers franchise record for points in a game, a record he shares with none other than Wayne Gretzky.

“You try and learn from everybody as you go along. When I first broke in, Shawn Horcoff was a guy who was our No. 1 centreman and he was a professional who really took care of himself and was always looking at trying to find an edge. I think that’s why I’ve been able to stay around,” Gagner said of an early mentor who helped pave the way.

“I work hard at trying to reinvent myself, but also just putting in the work every day. You learn that from teammates. I learned a lot of that from my old man, his work ethic, what he went through in his career. I owe a lot to that. My mom, my wife, what my wife gets put through, she’s kind of my psychologist. The amount of sacrifice she’s had (to make), to move around with a young family, give up parts of her career. It’s not possible without her.”

Gagner was asked Wednesday what he remembers about Game No. 1 from 15 years ago.

“I remember we won in a shootout, at home versus San Jose. I remember getting an assist on Tom Gilbert’s first NHL goal. And Andrew Cogliano was the other assist and we all lived together so it was a pretty special night for us. Feels like a long time ago now,” he said.

Due to his early start in the NHL and relatively good health, Gagner is among the younger players to his the 1,000 game mark, and that’s even with playing 56 American Hockey League games. He said the physical nature of the sport is secondary to the mental aspect.

“Physically, it’s a tough league. You’re playing a lot of games in a short amount of time. But mentally, it’s the hardest,” he said.

“There’s a lot of ups and downs, especially with some of the situations I’ve been on, losing teams. It can’t wear on you. You need to find a way to find that enjoyment, to continue to push in those moments. You find out a lot about yourself. The adversity makes you stronger in all aspects of life. Those are the biggest challenges, getting over those mental hurdles. When you get through them, it certainly feels great and it’s rewarding.”

One number Gagner would really like to see expand is the number of playoff games he has played, which stands at just 11 over his career. Six with Philadelphia in 2016. Five with Columbus in 2017. He’s got a solid shot this year with a Jets team off to a strong start.

“Confidence is a tough thing in this game, it comes and goes. Your discipline and dedication, being able to dig in, it’s really important,” said Gagner.

”I got sent down at 27, 28, and you wonder if that’s the end. But you just keep pushing and I think it feels pretty good to keep going through all of that. Most importantly, you find out who is in your corner, who is supporting you, and builds those relationships even stronger.

“There are so many great things about playing in this league and so many things I’m thankful for. Even this year, my kids are starting to understand what I do and having them be around through all this, in a Canadian city where hockey is number one and they’re passionate about it, it’s something I’ll cherish forever.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg