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"The Ironman" continues Stephine Chavez (HV) The Ironman
As of Deccember 6th, 2006 Karlis Skrastins has played in 460
consecutive games
which is the current longest active streak of any player in the NHL.
Many fans are
curious if this is a record Skrastins is consciously thinking about so
I asked him. He
responds, "It is in the back of my mind but it isn't all about this
streak. I am just
trying to do my job, go game by game."
The durable rearguard from Riga, Latvia, hasn't missed a game since
Feb. 18, 2000. He began his streak Feb. 21, 2000, against the Dallas
Stars.
Skrastins, 32, now sits just 28 games behind Tim Horton for the
longest
consecutive games streak by a defenceman in NHL history: 486.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs great established the mark between
1961-68.
Skrastins will play in his 500th career game on December 9th. When
asked
if he ever thought he would have 500 career games played in the NHL
Skrastins
simply responded "I am happy about all the games I have played.
It will be a nice achievement that I will have played 500 games.
But again, I just play one game at a time and don't think about
records."
Skrastins is always modest and quiet when it comes to talking about
himself. It has been stated numerous times throughout the hockey
world
that Skrastins is a very underrated, solid defenceman who deserves
more
credit than he gets. The Avalanche know what a star they have in
him
as it showed when they signed him last year to a multi-year deal.
Fellow countryman Raitis Ivanans was signed to a one year contract with
the LA Kings this season. Skrastins thinks it is great that Raitis is
in
the NHL stating, "I am happy for him to make the team. He had a tough
season in Montreal with his injury. I am happy for him and hope he
gets to play more games." Ivanans has mututal respect for Skrastins as
he told me "Skrastins is a solid defenceman; a very good player."
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