NHL: Florida Panthers at Chicago Blackhawks Nov 21, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Pat Maroon (77) warms up against the Florida Panthers before the game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

Chicago Blackhawks veteran enforcer to play in final NHL game on Sunday

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Andy Jachim | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 9:25 AM ET

The Chicago Blackhawks got a much needed victory on the road against Boston on Thursday night following a tough loss on Tuesday. The entire team held a meeting following the 5-0 loss on Tuesday in Pittsburgh, and it appears to have lit a spark in the group as they enter their final few games of the campaign.

Chicago’s up-and-down season locks them into the same spot in the league standings that they finished in a season ago. The Blackhawks will end the year in second-to-last place in the NHL with another guarantee top-four draft choice on the way to add to an extremely talented young core.

News broke on Thursday that one of the team’s well-respected veterans across the league will be playing in his final professional hockey game on Saturday in the team’s last home tilt of the year.

Chicago Blackhawks’ Pat Maroon to play in his final NHL game

Per reports, Maroon will end his NHL career at the United Center in the Blackhawks final home game of the season against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. The 36-year-old was brought in as a free agent over the summer to serve as a mentor for all of the young players on the roster, and he has already become a favorite to all in Chicago.

Maroon is known for his physical-style of play on the ice and that he will stand up for any of his teammates regardless of the situation. Earlier this week, he was nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. This nomination came from the Blackhawks chapter of the PHWA, and the award is given every year to the player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

Saturday will mark the 848th game in Maroon’s NHL career and it will be his last. He will not be traveling to Canada with the team next week for their final two games of the campaign against Montreal and Ottawa.

NHL: Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks Feb 7, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Pat Maroon (77) celebrates his goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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