In perhaps the most appropriate gift of all time, Mark Giordano received a shield.
The Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman set an NHL record with his 2,045th career blocked shot on Sunday against the Seattle Kraken. The previous record was held by defenseman Kris Russell, a former teammate of Giordano's with the Calgary Flames. Blocked shots have been tracked by the League since the 2005-06 season.
The shield, presented by Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, featured the logos of all three teams Giordano has played for in his 17 NHL seasons -- the Flames, Kraken and Maple Leafs -- and his jersey number in Toronto, 55. "This is awesome," Giordano said in the locker room. "I do whatever it takes to win and I know everyone in here is the same. Thanks, boys."
