Established
1991
City
San Jose
League History
1991 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1991 – Present / San Jose Sharks
Nickname
Sharks – The San Jose Sharks have been a beloved team in the National Hockey League since their inception in 1991. While many fans may not know it, the origin of the Sharks’ name is quite exciting and has an important place in San Jose's history.
The nickname “Sharks” was chosen to honor local wildlife and culture and evoke fear on the ice. The shark is native to Northern California waters and known for its powerful hunting abilities, so this made it a perfect fit for an NHL team representing one of Silicon Valley's most iconic cities. Additionally, sharks are often associated with strength and power - qualities that any successful hockey team needs!
San Francisco Bay Area residents also have a strong connection with sharks due to its long-standing surfing culture; surfers often encounter great white sharks while out on waves near Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay, which only adds more significance behind why this fierce animal became synonymous with hockey success at SAP Center (formerly HP Pavilion). Finally, there's something about seeing those sharp teeth inside circles around each letter of "SHARKS" that looks intimidating – even if you're not playing against them!
In short: when choosing their nickname back in '91, ownership wanted something special for San Jose that would represent local wildlife & culture while instilling fear into opponents – thus making “Sharks” an obvious choice from day one!
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
Arena
2022 - Present / Tech CU Arena
2013 – 2022 / SAP Center at San Jose
2002 – 2013 / HP Pavilion at San Jose
2001 – 2002 / Compaq Center at San Jose
1993 – 2001 / San Jose Arena
*San Francisco*
1991 – 1993 / Cow Palace
Owner
2001 – Present / San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises
1991 – 2001 / Gordon and George Gund
- 1991
- 1994
- 2002
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San Jose Sharks Team Formation
The Oakland Coliseum Arena was home to the California Golden Seals of the NHL from 1967 to 1976. Gordon and George Gund III became minority owners of the Seals in 1974 and were instrumental in their move to Cleveland in 1976 and a 1978 merger with the Minnesota North Stars, which they purchased that year. They had long wanted to ... -
San Jose Arena Opens
For their third season, 1993 – 1994, the Sharks moved to their current home, the San Jose Arena (now the SAP Center at San Jose). The SAP Center at San Jose, originally San Jose Arena and formerly the Compaq Center at San Jose and HP Pavilion at San Jose is an American indoor arena, located in San Jose, California. Its ... -
San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises
Following the 2001 – 2002 season, the Gunds sold the Sharks to a group of local investors headed by team president Greg Jamison. San Jose Sports & Entertainment Enterprises (SJSEE) is a private company based in San Jose, California which owns the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League, and manages ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as part of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Founded in 1991, they were one of four expansion teams to join the NHL that year and have since become one of its most successful franchises. The Sharks have made it to six Stanley Cup Finals and won their first championship title during their 25th season anniversary celebration in 2016-17, and they share a notable rivalry with the Vegas Golden Knights
Since joining the league, they’ve had an impressive roster featuring some notable players such as Owen Nolan, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, and Evgeni Nabokov, among others, all of who contributed significantly towards making them into what they are today - respected members within NHL circles with an enviable track record for success on ice over recent years. As well as having achieved many individual accolades throughout this period, including several All-Star selections by current players like Logan Couture or Brent Burns, there is no denying that this team has been able to consistently perform at high levels despite any changes made along its journey so far which speaks volumes about how much effort goes into maintaining stability within these ranks every single season from management down through each player's commitment on game day.
Overall, the San Jose Sharks organization has established itself amongst other prestigious teams within North American professional sports leagues due largely to strong leadership from coaches & general managers alike and talented rosters full of capable individuals willing to put forth maximum effort when needed. This combination allowed them to achieve great heights, such accomplishments winning two division titles, three conference championships & ultimately claiming a coveted Stanley Cup trophy after twenty-five long years of existence – something fans will never forget anytime soon!
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Unveiling the History of San Jose Shark Team: A Deep Dive
In this video, we explore the history of the San Jose Shark Team with our in-depth exploration. From their humble beginnings to their rise to greatness, we uncover the stories, triumphs, and challenges that have shaped this iconic team. Join us on this journey through time as we delve into the rich tapestry of San Jose Shark Team History.
Retired Number
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history