r/hockey • u/ibcfreak SJS - NHL • Jul 19 '13
[Weekly Thread] [30 Teams / 30 Days]: San Jose Sharks
Summary
San Jose Sharks
Division A (Pacific Division)
Subreddit Link: /r/sanjosesharks
Relevant links: Sharks Home Page // Fear The Fin // Working The Corners
Team History
Owen Nolan - RW - 1996-2003 - A huge part of the early Sharks and famous for his goal during the 1997 All-Star Game against THE DOMINATOR in San Jose. - 568 GP, 206 goals, 245 assists, .798 PPG
Mike Ricci - C - 1998-2004 - One of the reasons the Sharks made it in 2004 to the Western Conference Final for the first time in team history. He was gritty and hard working and was always willing to do whatever he could to help the team succeed. - 529 GP, 101 goals, 162 assists, .497 PPG
Mike Rathje - D - 1994-2004 - THE defenseman of the San Jose Sharks. There was no one better on the Sharks blue line than Mike Rathje at shutting down opponents. During his tenure he was the cornerstone of the Sharks defensive corps and is only surpassed by Patrick Marleau for total games in teal. - 671 GP, 27 goals, 128 assists, .230 PPG, 439 PIM
Jonathan Cheechoo - RW - 2003-2009 - The Sharks' only Rocket Richard trophy winner. Playing on a line with Joe Thornton and Milan Michalek in 2005-06 he would take the title with 56 goals. Cheechoo is 3rd overall in goals scored in Sharks history. - 440 GP, 165 goals, 126 assists, .661 PPG
Arturs Irbe - G - 1992-1996 - The first goaltender of the San Jose Sharks. Arguably the first big icon and an instant fan favorite known for his huge saves. His play in the early years of the Sharks helped to secure the Sharks their franchise first playoff berth. With The Wall in net the Sharks went on to eliminate the Detroit Red Wings. Arturs Irbe was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. - 183 GP, 57-91-26, .889 sv %, 3.47 GAA
Before the San Jose Sharks were the Sharks they were the San Francisco Seals of the WHL playing in the Cow Palance in Daly City. The team was then renamed the California Seals in 1966 and then the Oakland Seals in 1967 when they joined the NHL. They also moved across the bay and played games in the Oakland Coliseum Arena (now Oracle Arena). In 1970 the team was renamed the California Golden Seals due to being bought by Oakland A's owner Charlie O. Finley.
Within two years Finley was looking to sell the Seals due to lackluster performance compared to his A's but could find no takers. In 1973 he tried to sell the team to a group in Indianapolis who planed to move the team there but was rejected by the NHL Board of Governors. In 1974 the NHL bought the team from Finley and controlled the team for over a year until in 1975 they announced the team would be relocated to Denver with potential buyers already in place. The Denver deal fell through and the NHL announced that if new ownership couldn't be found locally the team would be liquidated at the end of the 1975 season.
Luckily San Francisco hotel magnate Melvin Swig purchased the team with the intent to move the team back to a proposed arena in San Francisco. However, after a new mayoral election that year the proposed arena was scrapped and the NHL dropped its objections to relocate the franchise. Due to poor attendance and other financial issues, minority owners George and Gordon Gund persuaded Swig to seek approval from the NHL to move the team to Cleaveland, Ohio. The NHL granted Swig and the Gunds permission in 1976 and the team relocated and took the name of the AHL Barons. After two more seasons of losses and poor attendance the NHL gave permission to the Gunds, who were now majority owners, to merge with the Minnesota North Stars in 1978. The new team continued as the North Stars for the next 20+ years but ultimately relocated in 1993 to Texas and became the Dallas Stars.
Meanwhile a group led by former Hartford Whalers owner Howard Baldwin was pushing the NHL to bring a team to San Jose where a new arena was being built. Following the 1990 season the Gunds and the NHL reached an agreement whereby the Gunds would sell their majority stake in the North Stars to Baldwin and in return would receive an expansion team in the Bay Area. Baldwin would then go on to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins and form the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in Pennsylvania. In 1991 the Sharks were born and would spend its first two seasons in the Cow Palace in Daly City before moving the San Jose Arena (now SAP Center) in 1993. In their first season in San Jose the Sharks would go on to defeat the league powerhouse Detroit Red Wings in a stunning Game 7 victory.
- Names: California Seals (1966), Oakland Seals (1967), California Golden Seals (1970), San Jose Sharks (1991-present)
- Arenas: The Cow Palace @ Daly City, HP Pavilion @ San Jose (Now SAP Center).
- Owners: George and Gordon Gund, San Jose Sports and Entertainment, Hasso Plattner (Current owner)
- Coaches: George Kingston (April 12, 1991 — April 18, 1993), Kevin Constantine (June 16, 1993 — December 1, 1995), Jim Wiley (December 1, 1995 — June 5, 1996), Al Sims (June 5, 1996 — May 9, 1997), Darryl Sutter (June 8, 1997 — December 1, 2002), Ron Wilson (December 4, 2002 — May 12, 2008), Todd McLellan (June 11, 2008 — present)
Current Team
Joe Thornton - C - 2006-? - Since coming to the Sharks in 2006, Jumbo has been nothing short of phenomenal. He was a recipient of both the Hart and the Art Ross trophies and to this day is the only player in franchise history to receive them. Since entering the NHL in 1997, Jaromir Jagr is the only active player that produces points more frequently. 593 GP, 162 goals, 502 assists, 664 pts, 1.12 PPG with San Jose.
Patrick Marleau - C/LW - 1997-? - THE face of the San Jose Sharks. Patty has been with the team his whole NHL career and to this day holds records for most goals, most game winning goals, most points, most even strength goals, most power play goals, and most shots in Sharks franchise history. While he has had his critics, Patrick Marleau is undeniably an outstanding hockey player and has guaranteed that the Sharks have been playoff contenders for close to a decade. 1165 GP, 404 goals, 457 assists, 861 pts, .731 PPG.
Logan Couture - C - 2010-? - The Sharks' drafted Couture in the First Round in 2007 and after spending a couple seasons with the Worcester Sharks in the AHL he was brought up to the San Jose Sharks in 2010. There is no doubt that the team will be built around Couture once the current veterans have retired. He began to show his leadership in his second season in San Jose and has not looked back. Couture was one of, if not THE best players on the Sharks during the 2013 playoffs. With a newly inked 5 year contract the sky is the limit with Logan who will undoubtedly wear the C in the future. 232 GP, 89 goals, 78, assists, 167 pts, .712 PPG.
Joe Pavelski - C - 2007-? - If anyone could be considered a clutch player for the Sharks it would be Joe Pavelski. During the playoffs he has recorded 24 goals (including 7 GWG) and 26 assists for a total of 50 pts. The Big Pavelski was drafted in the 7th round at 205th overall and has played for United States in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Despite being such a low draft pick he has excelled and was truly a diamond in the rough for San Jose. He is an integral part of the team now and for the foreseeable future. 479 GP, 150 goals, 186 assists, 336 pts, .701 PPG.
Antti Niemi - G - 2011-? - A former Stanley Cup winner with the Blackhawks in 2010. Niemi has been sensational for the Sharks in the time he has been in teal at times carrying the team on his back. Without the stellar play of Niemi in the 2012-13 season the Sharks would have found themselves in a situation they haven't been in for the last 10 seasons...missing the playoffs. With Nemo inked for the next 2 seasons the Sharks are in good position to once again make a run for the Cup. 171 GP, 93-52-21, .919 sv%, 2.34 GAA.
Honorable Mention(s): Dan Boyle - 356 GP, 56 goals, 177 assists, 233 pts. // Brent Burns - 111 gp, 20 goals, 37 assists, 57 pts. // Marc-Edouard Vlasic - 519 GP, 25 goals, 115 assists, 140 pts.
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u/CityOfChamps Jul 19 '13
Im just gonna put this out there but San Jose is the greatest team to never win anything. As an Oilers fan I feel bad for the sharks they were an awesome team and I love watching them play.
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Jul 19 '13
we won a president's trophy once
:/
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u/CityOfChamps Jul 19 '13
So did Vancouver and I would have to say they are number 2 on my list of best team to never win anything.
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Jul 19 '13 edited Jul 20 '13
San Jose is the best team of the last 10 years period. Even if you consider cup winning teams over that time frame.
Edit: Ok Maybe Detroit is better.
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u/flume Jul 20 '13 edited Jul 20 '13
Why do PIT and BOS have 1GP less than everyone else?
PS, Detroit has definitely been better the past 10 seasons, even in just the regular season
Fun fact: despite their lack of playoff success, San Jose has the second most playoff wins since 2002-03 (55 to Detroit's 69).
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u/YouVersusTheSea Jul 20 '13
Only two teams to make the playoffs every year since the last lockout, which is kind of neat.
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u/cpbrowner Jul 19 '13
Tommy Wingels has the best name in hockey.
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u/Kazmarov Jul 20 '13
It's to the point that broadcasting crews will mention him far more than his talent level merits.
"But enough about Vezina candidate Antti Niemi, let's talk about TOMMY WINGELLLLLS"
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Jul 19 '13
Fuck that guy.
I'm still bitter
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u/btmunro Jul 19 '13
From the boarding penalty?
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Jul 19 '13
That was kind of the icing on the cake, he just did a really good job of shutting down the twins/Kesler.
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u/meatb4ll Jul 19 '13
What'd he do?
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Jul 19 '13
He was just really effective in our first-round series this past season, good at working behind the net and in the corners, and at drawing penalties.
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u/remainsy Jul 19 '13
Don't forget Kent Huskins.
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u/rhenze Jul 19 '13
Oh God Huskins was brutal. Why would I want to remember him!?
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u/gankosaurusrex Jul 19 '13 edited Jul 19 '13
The commercials the Sharks put out are like, the best thing ever.
These are just my two favorites, there's lots more, and they're all pretty silly.
edit: here's a playlist with some of the more recent ones: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL96B9C955273DF9E3
also, Heater's fail ceremonial first pitch always cracks me up
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u/envague Jul 19 '13
Famous Fans:
Neil Fucking Young.
/yes, I'm jealous
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u/SquirrellyTurtle Jul 19 '13
Neil Young is a Jets fan. His son is the cool Sharks fan!
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u/defensorfidei Jul 19 '13
Neil is at every game though. I love how he has regular seats and doesn't roll with the whole conspicuous celebrity in a box thing.
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u/SquirrellyTurtle Jul 19 '13
It's pretty awesome. While I don't doubt Neil has a place in his heart for the Sharks, he is there because his handicapped son is a die-hard.
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u/Kazmarov Jul 20 '13
I think despite not having the same celebrity draw as Chicago and Los Angeles, I'll wager that the net worth of a given crowd at The Tank is absolutely bananas.
And yeah, Young sits with his son who has palsy. It's really sweet, I had season tickets a few rows back a couple years back.
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u/APPaholic47 Jul 19 '13
IRBE!!! This guy played for the Sharks and Canes when they were fledgling teams struggling to keep afloat and he made them competitive. He gets little credit but he made some incredible saves. He had such an unorthodox style that made him seem out of position but he would flop around like Hasek and make the save. That was just how he played the game. He was instrumental in leading the Canes to the Stanley Cup Finals in 01-02. I am very surprised you put Irbe ahead of Nabokov though. For a while there Nabby was a beast.
I also love me some Ricci. That guys game was as ugly as his face but damn he was good at what he did.
You also have my favorite mask design ever
I am really interested in what the sharks will look like in 3 years or so. Big Joe, Marleau, and Boyle are getting up there. Havlat and Stuart will be past their prime by then I'd say and Little Joe will be around 33 and getting close to being past his maybe. As an outsider I see that Couture and Burns are the only younger guys to lead them into the future. What other prospects or players will be the future of this team?
I am still shocked you guys haven't wont the cup in the last 10 years. I have felt on at least 3 occasions that San Jose was the team to beat. Often you guys seemed built for a cup run. Those couple of years when you won over 50 games when Blake was there the Sharks seemed like a playoff team at every position. Its kind of sad honestly. I feel that I would be scared if I was a Sharks fan. The window has maybe closed and most of the talent is closer to 40 than 20. especially in a few years. Hopefully you guys have more young talent than I know about.
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u/Tramen Jul 19 '13
While our farm is kinda depleted, as far as most can tell, we have a lot of faith in Doug Wilson. He has a talent for catching stars when they're cheap, and making unfair trades in our favor. They don't always work out for us, but the ones that have, Thornton, Boyle and Burns, really changed the team's favor.
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Jul 19 '13
Irbe was easily my favorite Hurricane during those late 90's early 00's teams, such a crazy netminder to watch.
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u/Kazmarov Jul 20 '13
Irbe has a special place in our hearts because he was the goalie of the time when we were the scrappy underdogs from a hockey market known for failure rather than success. Nabokov is a great goaltender, but he came during our time as perennial contenders- also with the cap we're now high spenders, rather than trying to get top players via guile and cunning.
Also, Irbe was 5'8", which today would be considered a ridiculous height for a goalie. Plus being Latvian, and rarely swapping out his pads so they got all scuffed and dirty...he's got the whole Rocky vibe.
And of course, in a press conference when he was asked what he was thinking during his first shutout, he said he was trying to be "like wall".
Irbe hasn't played here in fifteen years, but Like Wall is still an immortal part of the Sharks canon.
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u/meatb4ll Jul 19 '13
What about Greiss' mask?
Also, Havlat better be gone. I think the second and first lines will be switching. Besides, there's some good UFAs coming up, and with the cap going up I think SJ will be ok.
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u/sumiriously Jul 19 '13
No more awful February road trip this year!
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u/manticorpse Jul 19 '13
Really? Thank god!
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u/captaintrips420 Jul 20 '13
Since there isnt a SAP open anymore, they just put their name on the building instead.
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u/Kazmarov Jul 20 '13
About a decade ago we had a 10-game road trip in February, which at the time was an NHL record. The San Jose Mercury News ran a day-by-day summary of what was happening with the team, including summaries of the various rounds of the Madden tournament that I believe was eventually won by Jeff Friesen over Owen Nolan.
That was the only good thing I've ever associated with the trips.
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Jul 19 '13
Their AHL team is based out of Worcester, MA. I go to games every once in a while. Go Sharks!
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u/BaronessFrostbite Jul 20 '13
I had seats right behind the Sharks' penalty box all this year and last. I love the Bruins, but when the Sharks are in town in October, I will be at the game wearing my Matt Irwin jersey with pride.
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u/KakunaUsedHarden Jul 19 '13
Has there been a player that has gone from Maurice Richard winner to Barely AHL caliber in less time than Cheechoo?
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u/BigLer Jul 19 '13
Double sports hernia surgery he never recovered from properly. Its such a bummer because he is a great guy.
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Jul 19 '13
Joe Thornton effect also. He is not a Richard winner on any other team/line.
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u/douglasmacarthur Jul 19 '13
He was never a fast guy so when his knees went out and slowed him down even more he went from "slow but highly talented role-player" to "can't skate fast enough to play in NHL."
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u/ivillalobos11 Jul 19 '13
I love my sharks. Hopefully this year we catch fire and can get it done.. I wanna see all our old guys get the cup, I think they deserve it.
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Jul 19 '13
Needs more Nolan running at Belfour highlights http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3mROk7Zxc
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u/gnikiveht Jul 20 '13
Nolan was a right asshole sometimes, but damn he still is my favorite shark. Dude knew how to play the game the right way
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u/cpbrowner Jul 19 '13
Mike Ricci - One of the reasons the Sharks made it in 2004 to the Western Conference Final
RIIIICCIIIII'S UUUUUGGGGLLLLYYYYY!!!
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u/VideoLinkBot Jul 19 '13 edited Jul 23 '13
Here is a list of video links collected from comments that redditors have made in response to this submission:
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u/sharkerty Jul 19 '13
Great write up. Thank you. I'm jonesing already for the season to start. It must be the Sharks year this year. Right guys? Right?
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u/Psyker101 Jul 19 '13
THIS IS OUR YEAR, BOYS!
NO SERIOUSLY, FOR REAL THIS TIME!
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u/zanzibarman Jul 23 '13
\ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ /
** * Sharks gonna win this year!! * **
*/ \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / \ / *
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Jul 19 '13
Man, that Boyle goal is tough to watch but damn was it beautiful. Really well done write up!
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Jul 19 '13
Yotes aren't on your rivals list so all I gotta say is I loved Mike Ricci.
How can you not love this face?
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u/GMeister249 Jul 19 '13
This is the same model of goal horn they use, notice how it has to wind up between blasts, perhaps explaining why the real thing always takes a good 3 seconds in between honks.
Joe and the Sharks are definitely on my list of likeable guys - if not the Bruins, hope it will be you lot soon.
And one more pic, #6 Joe Thornton. :)
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Jul 19 '13
Give us back Dan Boyle :(
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u/Kazmarov Jul 20 '13
A little girl asked Boyle during the playoffs if he had won a Stanley Cup, and he said yeah, he won one in 2004 with Tampa Bay.
She then said something to the account of "well, not with the Sharks though." Burrrrn.
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u/Poozer62 Jul 19 '13
Awesomely written, really liked this one because the rivalry section isn't over the top.
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u/trbocoupe Jul 19 '13
I can't believe Cheechoo is the 3rd highest goal scorer on the team! What a crazy story he is
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u/Strifezard Jul 20 '13
I always liked San Jose, but could never figure out why, until I went through the old jerseys.
I really like all of San Jose's jerseys. Never had a bad one IMO.
Also Owen Nolan calling his goal on Hasek is unforgettable.
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u/rhenze Jul 20 '13
Also Owen Nolan calling his goal on Hasek is unforgettable.
Especially because it completed the hat trick, on home ice nonetheless! What a great moment.
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u/goalstopper28 Jul 19 '13
I will always have a soft spot for Joe Thornton. He was my favorite player growing up.
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Jul 20 '13
They have the best hockey jerseys of any team ever.
edit: Let me re-qualify that, their originals, and their current ones. I'm not a big fan of the 00's Sharks redesign.
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u/mipeirong Jul 19 '13
I'd like to add that it was the Compaq center before the HP Pavilion in San Jose.
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Jul 19 '13
Can you guys take Brian Hayward back?
Also the Pacific division all got good at the right time, the California rivalries will be at their best this next season.
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u/ibcfreak Jul 19 '13
UPVOTE FOR VISIBILITY
Stats
2012-13 Regular Season: 25-14-7 (57)
2012-13 Regular Season Points Leaders
2013 Draft Results
Notes:
50th Overall Selection traded to Pittsburgh Penguins for Tyler Kennedy.
58th overall Selection traded to Detroit Red Wings to move up in Round 1 (20th to 18th).
TJ Galiardi traded to Calgary Flames for 2015 4th round pick.
2013 Season Results
Season Highs:
The Sharks had their best start in years starting with 7 wins in a row. Patrick Marleau led the effort with 9 goals in the first 5 games of the season.
Moving Brent Burns to forward was super effective. Burns was able to play as a power forward on the top line with one of the best setup men in the NHL. Utilizing his big body and powerful shot Burns was one of the most effective players for the Sharks at times.
Sweeping the Vancouver Canucks out of the playoffs was definitely one of the best moments of the season. After the embarrassing way the Canucks eliminated the Sharks from the playoffs in the 2010-11 season it was sweet revenge to turn the tables this past season.
Season Lows:
The worst time for the Sharks always seems to be February. This past season was no exception as the Sharks embarked on a 7 game roadie that resulted in losses for 6 of the 7 games.
Martin Havlat...Enough said.
Season Overview:
Overall not a bad season at all. The Sharks were severely handicapped due the Havlat's injury which resulted in the lines being shuffled often. Due to the shortened season and this shuffling the Sharks had very little time to coalesce into one unit. It wasn't until the last half of the season that the Sharks started playing their best hockey and qualified for the playoffs for the 10th season in a row. The only other team with more consecutive playoff berths is the Detroit Red Wings at 23.
Sharks Jerseys:
Home - Away - Alternate
1991-1998
1998-2007
2007-present
Sharks Highlights:
Jamie Baker scores the game winning goal eliminating the Detroit Red Wings to advance to the second round in the 1993-94 Playoffs.
Owen Nolan calls his shot in the 1997 All-Star Game in San Jose.
Owen Nolan scores on Roman Turek giving the Sharks a 2-0 lead in an eventual Game 7 3-1 Victory over the St Louis Blues in the 1999-2000 Playoffs.
Incredible comeback for the OT win against the Los Angeles Kings in Game 3 of the 2010-11 Stanley Cup Playoff Quarterfinals.
Captain Joe Thornton and Jamie Benn throw down in a game on Feb 23, 2013.
Dan Boyle goes coast to coast on a 5 on 3 PP to score an amazing goal.
Patrick Marleau knocks in the loose puck to score the game winning goal in OT to sweep the Vancouver Canucks from the 2012-13 Playoffs.
Attendance Stats courtesy of hockeydb.
Top 3 Rivals:
Anaheim Ducks: This rivalry has been stewing for several seasons and there is no love lost between the Ducks and the Sharks. #FUCKTHEDUCKS
Los Angeles Kings: The Kings and Sharks are a classic Northern and Southern California rivalry. The rivalry has gone in either teams favor over the years as each team has eliminated the other from the playoffs at least once.
Detroit Red Wings: More of a friendly rivalry than the Kings or Ducks. The Sharks and Wings have met 5 times in Sharks playoff history with the Sharks eliminating the Wings 3 of those 5 meetings. One of the biggest moments of Sharks history is Jamie Bakers Game 7 OT goal in the 1993-1994 Playoffs.