Marc-Edouard Vlasic

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Vlasic began playing organized hockey in Montreal at age five under his father's coaching. He was bumped up to novice A at age seven and advanced to midget-AAA Lac St. Louis Lions, then played for midget-AAA West Island Lions from 2002 to 2003. He was drafted by the Quebec City 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. Vlasic played two games with the Lions during 2003–04 before being recalled to the Remparts on September 16, 2003. He was not originally selected for the 2004 CHL Canada/Russia Series but replaced an injured Sidney Crosby on the roster, having two goals and nine assists through 26 games at the time.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed overhead, casting long shadows across the ice at SAP Center. Marc-Edouard Vlasic sat in the corner of the locker room, taping his stick with practiced precision. The 'C' on his chest felt heavier than usual tonight; the playoffs were slipping away, but the team still needed him to stand tall. He looked up as teammates filed past, offering nods of respect. In this quiet moment before the storm, he knew his role was not to score, but to ensure the net behind him stayed clean.

Reader's Guide

Vlasic was drafted by the San Jose Sharks 35th overall in the 2005 NHL entry draft, using a pick exchanged for goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff. He made his NHL debut on October 5, 2006, against the St. Louis Blues, and scored his first NHL goal on November 22, 2006, against the Los Angeles Kings, becoming the second youngest defenseman in franchise history to score their first NHL goal at age 19 years and 237 days. He finished 2006–07 with three goals and 23 assists for 26 points through 81 games and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team alongside Matt Carle. On August 27, 2008, he signed a four-year, $12.4 million contract extension through 2012–13; on July 11, 2012, a five-year, $21 million extension through 2017–18; and on July 1, 2017, a $56 million, eight-year extension. Early in 2012–13, he 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. He played his 1,000th NHL game on December 14, 2019, the 17th player to play his first 1,000 games with one team. He suffered an upper back injury during the off-season, missing the start of the Sharks' 2024 training camp, and 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.

Did You Know?

• Vlasic holds the NHL record for blocked shots.
• He was named to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team, winning gold against Sweden 3–0.
• His number 44 was retired by the Quebec Remparts in 2015.
• He is of Croatian and French-Canadian descent and has three younger brothers, Thomas, Charles, and James, the last two being twins.