Edmonton Oilers forward Adam Henrique is set to mark a significant milestone in his NHL career, a feat that no other player in the franchise has ever accomplished. When the Oilers face the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, Henrique will step onto the ice for his 1,000th NHL game.
Henrique will become the 409th player in NHL history to reach this landmark. What makes this occasion particularly special is that he will be the first player to skate in his 1,000th game while wearing an Oilers jersey. This is a surprising statistic, considering the Oilers' storied past and the many legends who have donned the blue and orange, including Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and Ryan Smyth. Yet, none of these iconic players reached the 1,000-game mark during their time in Edmonton.
The only player to have played 1,000 games as a member of the Oilers is Hall of Fame defenseman Kevin Lowe, who played 1,037 games in Edmonton. However, Lowe had already reached the 1,000-game milestone as a member of the New York Rangers, as did Messier. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is the closest to reaching 1,000 games as an Oiler, with 965 games played for the team.
Henrique, acquired by the Oilers in March 2024, expressed his surprise and honor at being the first to achieve this milestone with the team. The Oilers obtained Henrique in a three-team trade involving the Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning. The veteran forward was brought in to provide stability and experience down the middle for the Oilers.
"It's hard to believe, to be honest," Henrique said. "You think about all the great players who have come through this organization, and to be the first to hit this mark here, it's pretty special. I'm really looking forward to it."
Since joining the Oilers, Henrique has been a consistent presence, contributing to the team's success. The 35-year-old has played a crucial role in Edmonton's journey to the Stanley Cup Final in each of the past two seasons. In those playoff runs, he has tallied seven points each time.
In the previous season, Henrique recorded 12 goals and 15 assists for 27 points in 81 games. While this was the lowest point total in a normal season of his career, his contributions to the team's depth and penalty-killing efforts were invaluable. This season, he has already notched a goal and an assist in six games.
Ken Holland, the General Manager of the Oilers, said upon acquiring Henrique that the importance of penalty killing, centers, and depth come playoff time were all factors in the decision to make the deal.
The Oilers will honor Henrique with a special silver stick ceremony before the game against the Senators. This ceremony will recognize his dedication and longevity in the league, as well as his unique place in Oilers history. The team and fans will celebrate Henrique's remarkable achievement, acknowledging his contributions to the team and the sport.
As Adam Henrique steps onto the ice for his 1,000th game, he will not only be celebrating a personal milestone but also etching his name in the Edmonton Oilers' record books. His journey is a testament to his perseverance, skill, and commitment to the game, making him a deserving honoree and a valued member of the Oilers organization.
