Marc-Édouard Vlasic

Marc-Édouard Vlasic (; born March 30, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is a defenceman. He most recently played for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL), for whom Vlasic holds the franchise record for most games played by a defenseman and the NHL record for blocked shots.

Playing career Vlasic began playing organized hockey in Montreal at the age of five under his father's coaching. As a result of his skills, Vlasic was bumped up to the novice A level at the age of seven and eventually advanced to the midget-AAA Lac St. Louis Lions. He then played for the midget-AAA West Island Lions from 2002 to 2003 being drafted to the Quebec City Remparts of the QMJHL. Vlasic was chosen by the Remparts in the fourth round of the 2003 QMJHL draft after his Lac St. Louis Lions coach, Guy Boucher, convinced Patrick Roy to draft him. before being recalled the Remparts on September 16, 2003, for the remainder of the season.

Although Vlasic was not originally selected to compete in the 2004 CHL Canada/Russia Series, he was chosen to replace an injured Sidney Crosby on the roster. At the time of the selection, Vlasic had accumulated two goals and nine assists through 26 games.

San Jose Sharks (2006–2025) Vlasic (bottom) defending Shane Doan during a game against the Phoenix Coyotes in 2006. Vlasic was drafted by the San Jose Sharks 35th overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft, using a pick exchanged for goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff. After making the Sharks' opening night roster at the age of 19, he made his NHL debut on October 5, 2006, against the St. Louis Blues. He subsequently scored his first career NHL goal on November 22, 2006, against the Los Angeles Kings. Upon scoring the goal, Vlasic became the second youngest defenseman in franchise history to score their first NHL goal at the age of 19 years and 237 days. He finished the 2006–07 season with three goals and 23 assists for 26 points through 81 games. As such, he was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team alongside teammate Matt Carle. On July 11, 2012, the Sharks signed Vlasic to a five-year, $21 million contract extension that would keep him with the Sharks through the .

Early in the 2012–13 season, Vlasic became the second player from the 2005 draft class to play 500 games, and later scored his first career Stanley Cup playoffs goal, during the 2013 playoffs, against Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings.

On July 1, 2017, he signed a $56 million, eight-year contract extension with the Sharks.

Vlasic played his 1,000th NHL game on December 14, 2019; he was only the 17th player to play his first 1,000 games with one team.

Vlasic suffered an upper back injury during the off-season which resulted in him missing the start of the Sharks' 2024 training camp. Vlasic returned to play a career low 27 regular season games, notching 1 goal and 3 points.

Following the 2024–25 season, the Sharks placed Vlasic on unconditional waivers and upon clearing was bought out of the remaining year on his contract, ending his 19-year tenure with San Jose.

International play

Vlasic was named to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team where his team won Gold against Sweden 3–0.

Following the Sharks defeat by the Vegas Golden Knights in the second round of the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs, Vlasic was invited to play for Team Canada at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.

Personal life Of Croatian and French-Canadian descent, Vlasic has three younger brothers, Thomas, Charles, and James, the last two being twins. He attended West Island College in Quebec. He was previously married to his high school sweetheart, Martine. His cousin, Emma Vlasic, played for the Connecticut Whale of the Premier Hockey Federation, and was former captain of Yale's women's hockey team, and her younger brother, Alex, plays for the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Quebec Remparts retired Vlasic's number 44 in 2015.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2009 Canada WC 5 0 0 0 4 2012 Canada WC 5th 2 0 0 0 0 2014 Canada OG 6 0 0 0 0 2016 Canada WCH 6 0 4 4 0 2017 Canada WC 10 1 1 2 2 2018 Canada WC 4th 6 1 0 1 0Senior totals 35 2 5 7 6

Awards and honours Award Year RefNHL NHL All-Rookie Team 2006–07