Tobias Enstrom is about to put his name in the Thrashers record book. Again.
The franchise’s all-time leader in points and assists by a defenseman will play his 252nd consecutive game Wednesday against Buffalo. He will surpass the record he now shares with Slava Kozlov, who had his streak snapped as a healthy scratch last season. Kozlov left the team in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Enstrom has not missed a game since joining the Thrashers at the start of the 2007-08 season.
Asked if he was proud of such longevity, Enstrom said, “I want to play every game, proud or not. I love being out there and wearing the jersey.”
Not bad for a player selected in the eighth round (No. 239 overall) in 2003.
“I don’t think there is a special reason,” Enstrom said. “I guess I had luck on my side and been healthy almost my whole career. ... You always get small stuff, coming up to games 75 or 80. Sometimes it’s tough. Like I said, I’m proud to wear the jersey. I want to do it every night.”
The NHL record for consecutive games played is 964, set by Doug Jarvis from Oct. 8, 1975-Oct. 10, 1987 with Montreal, Washington and Hartford. Thrashers coach Craig Ramsay is fourth on the all-time list with 776 straight games. Calgary's Jay Bouwmeester is the active leader with 429 consecutive games played.
Enstrom’s only serious injury occurred in 2009 while playing for Sweden in the World Championships. Checked from behind in a game against Latvia, he struck the boards and suffered facial fractures that required surgery. He recovered in time to join the Thrashers for training camp and his streak continued.
“It’s all about luck,” said Enstrom, who acknowledged his speed enables him to avoid big hits. “Some people, they get injured all the time. I guess I’m the lucky one.”
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