Former teammates marvel at Giordano’s standing as NHL’s solely over-40

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When he climbed into second spot on the Calgary Flames’ all-time video games performed listing, passing an previous pal, Mikael Backlund acquired a congratulatory notice from Mark Giordano.

One other one.

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“I used to be taking a look at all of the texts from him earlier than and it was like, ‘Congrats on the King Clancy’ and ‘Congrats on the captaincy’ and ‘Congrats on this,’ ” Backlund beamed. “It’s nice. I at all times respect when he sends me these texts …

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“I ought to textual content him and say congrats on being the oldest within the league.”

That, too, is heck of a feat. And on Thursday evening, with the Flames enjoying host to the Toronto Maple Leafs on the Saddledome, Backlund would have been in a position to cross alongside that message in particular person.

Giordano, a longtime captain and fan favorite in Calgary and now residing out his childhood dream within the blue-and-white of his hometown staff, is the one 40-something skating within the NHL this season.

Born in October 1983, this greybeard defenceman is 9 months senior to another dude on the circuit.

“You can have a look at it two methods … ” Giordano instructed a crowd of acquainted faces after Thursday’s morning skate. “I choose to take a look at it in the best way that it’s a giant accomplishment. It’s one thing that I take a whole lot of delight in. And I nonetheless really feel like I can contribute. That’s the primary factor for me — when you really feel like you possibly can assist the staff win video games. I wish to preserve enjoying till I don’t really feel that approach anymore.”

Giordano was a fixture on the Saddledome for a 15-season span from 2006-21.

He was a beloved teammate, a big-minute blue-liner, a heart-and-soul kind. In a selfless act, he assured former Flames GM Brad Treliving — these two at the moment are reunited in Toronto — that it solely made sense to guard three different rearguards and depart him uncovered within the Seattle Kraken growth draft.

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In any case, he was getting up there in age …

Now, he’s the newest to hitch a comparatively brief — and star-studded — listing of men who caught across the NHL into their 40s. Previous to Giordano, Zdeno Chara, Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton have been among the many most up-to-date additions.

“I’m not stunned,” insisted former Flames teammate Chris Tanev, now Calgary’s oldest defenceman at 34. “I imply, he received the Norris at 35, proper? So clearly he was feeling nice nonetheless in his mid-30s. So there was no signal that he wasn’t going to have the ability to play at 40.

“As you become old, for everybody in some unspecified time in the future, biology kicks in. For some guys, it’s faster or longer than others. However clearly it’s extraordinarily spectacular to do what he’s doing at his age.”

Positive is.

Giordano totalled 949 appearances within the Flaming C crest, which now places him third within the membership file books behind Jarome Iginla and Backlund.

Whenever you embrace a brief stint in Seattle and elements of three seasons with the Maple Leafs, his odometer at present reveals a grand whole of 1,132 video games on the most important stage.

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Whereas he’s largely labored this winter in a third-pairing function, he’s nonetheless averaging greater than 17 minutes per evening. (With a smile, the NHL’s solely lively over-40 famous that he spends a superb chunk of time every morning within the sizzling tub or steam room to “loosen the joints up a bit.”)

“It’s unbelievable. It’s one thing for him to be actually proud about, for certain,” stated Flames speedster Dillon Dube, nonetheless a teenager at 25. “Gio’s popularity has at all times been because the hardest-working man all through his profession. He began out grinding, battling after which grew to become a top-end participant. And to nonetheless be enjoying …

“Give it some thought, what number of guys have been forward of him in the beginning? And he’s the man who remains to be enjoying. So a whole lot of credit score to him. He’s a warrior. He battles. And I feel a whole lot of it, too, is how good of a teammate he’s. That’s why he’s sticking round at that age — as a result of they need him in that locker room, they need his persona.”

“It’s spectacular,” echoed Backlund, 34. “He has that drive, that keenness, and that’s why he’s been so profitable on this league and has performed for such a very long time. He by no means takes something as a right and he works tremendous arduous, each on and off the ice. He’s a machine. And as quickly as he steps on the ice, he goes all out. Practices, video games … He performs with a whole lot of ardour. That’s what has made him so good and made him final on this league for such a very long time.”

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A reminder of his longevity, Giordano had dinner Wednesday with Curtis Glencross and Matt Stajan, two former teammates who’re comparable in age however retired from the sport a number of years in the past.

Proof he nonetheless follows the Flames, he talked about to reporters that he was thrilled to listen to Oliver Kylington not too long ago returned to recreation motion with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.

Previous to Thursday’s matchup, Dube reminded that the ex-captain by no means goes straightforward on his previous mates. As he put it: “All the blokes he was shut with, we at all times have good battles with him.”

Which begs the query … When the whistle blows and the trash-talk begins, are geezer jokes honest recreation?

“At this level, it’s virtually a praise,” Dube stated. “As a result of I do know he can look proper again at me and be like, ‘You received’t play till you’re 40.’

“Yeah, I assume you can chirp him that he’s an previous man. However oh my god, it’s important to respect it. That’s an unbelievable accomplishment.”

wgilbertson@postmedia.com

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