Per Mårs, the inventor of the Marsblade skate holder, has tragically and unexpectedly passed away due to struggles with mental health. San Jose Sharks forward Alexander Wennberg worked with Mårs and spoke about the sudden loss.
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Wennberg has used the Marsblade holder for multiple years and worked closely with Mårs as he made his transition to the skate holder.
Jan 11, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; during San Jose Sharks vs Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center. Photo: Sport Shots / Dean TaitCredit: Dean Tait – Sport Shots
“It’s so sad. I worked closely with him as well. He helped me a lot to get into Marsblade. He’s a great, great person, great human being. Really sad to hear about the news,” Wennberg told SHD. “It is tough. You never know what people go through. I feel like you would never know, but I cannot be more sad about hearing about it. I wish all the respect for him and all for his family.”
Mårs, 43, was a third-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2001. In 2008, Mårs’ playing career was cut short by a knee injury. He remained connected to the game by inventing the Marsblade holder. The holder began as a rollerblade holder for ice hockey players to close the gap on their on-ice feel during the summer. That later transitioned to on-ice technology, and many NHL players have begun to use it.
Wennberg is the only current San Jose Sharks player to use them, but former forward Scott Sabourin also uses the Marsblade. Sharks prospect Brandon Svoboda uses them while playing for Boston University.
“I love Marsblade. The fact that he was doing it, his research behind it, the brains behind it, and I think he was great. The way he wanted to develop the game, make it even better,” Wennberg said. “Just the way he’s interacting with me, how professional, how kind. I have nothing but good words to talk about him and what he created as well. I hope that Marsblade can carry on the legacy he started.”
The Wennberg family has been known to support many groups within the world, like LGBTQ+, mental health struggles, etc. Wennerstrom stood on the bench during the San Jose Sharks’ annual Pride scrimmage.
As Wennberg says, you don’t know what is going on behind the scenes with anyone. Mental health struggles can happen to anyone at any time. Check on your loved ones and show them you care.
“All you can say is you’ve got to reach out. You’ve got to ask for help. I mean, every one of us, we’re fighting our own battles. You never know what you’re going through. No one can do this alone,” Wennberg expressed. “If there’s someone you can call. Somebody who can help out, I think it’s important to be aware that people are there to help out if you need it. It’s tough to talk on the subject, because it happened so recently. I wish someone could be there to help him as well.”
Mental health struggles, specifically depression and suicidal thoughts, need to be taken seriously at all times. In California, if you or anyone you know is struggling with thoughts of harming themself, call 9-8-8. 9-8-8 is the National suicide prevention hotline.