San Jose Sharks Journey: From Startup to Now
Since their debut in the early 1990s, the San Jose Sharks have created a name for themselves in Bay Area sports and in the NHL (National Hockey League). They have shaped a legacy of resilience, transformation, and a passionate fan base. From their humble beginnings and now a rebuilt franchise, here is a look at the Sharks’ Journey throughout the years.
The Beginning: 1991-1992 Season and Rising Growth
The San Jose Sharks were founded by two sports business brothers George and Gordon Gund on May 9, 1990, who sought to bring professional hockey to the Bay Area. The team officially entered the National Hockey League for the 1991-1992 hockey season. Their inaugural season began at Cow Palace in Daly City that ended with 17 wins, 5 ties, and 58 losses. The team had struggled in their first season and even more so in the following year with 11 wins, 2 ties, and 71 losses.
Despite the rough start, the franchise began to turn around when they moved into their permanent home – the notable SAP Center. In their third season in 1993-1994, San Jose Sharks achieved the biggest turnaround in National Hockey League history with their successful playoffs. They had a record of 58 point improvement compared to their last season – with 33 wins, 16 ties, and 35 losses.This early success helped set the tone for a franchise eager to prove itself.
Breakthroughs with Ups and Downs: 2000-2016
The 2000s marked a new era for the Sharks with consistent playoff contenders and became a respected team in the NHL. Many notable players include Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, and Evgeni Nabokov. For the next decade, they had scored about 6 Pacific Division titles which are rewarded to teams that finish in first place in their division standings at the end of their regular season. In the 2008-2009 season, the Sharks won the Presidents’ Trophy for the league, finishing the most points in their regular season with a whopping number of 117 points, just a point ahead of the Boston Bruins.
PC: Unsplash
However in 2014, the Sharks experienced a notorious playoff collapse where they lost their 3-0 series lead to the Los Angeles Kings in their first round. After almost a decade and half of their successful playoffs streak, this season did not qualify them for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, by 2016, the Sharks broke through and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history until they fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. Despite this loss, the run validated the years of work and established the Sharks as grounded contenders for the National Hockey League.
The End of an Era: 2017- Early 2025
Following the Stanley Cup Final, The Sharks remained relatively competitive but began to show signs of decline. They had failed to repeat success in winning the Western Conference after their loss to the Edmonton Oilers. On April 23, 2019, there was a controversial Game 7 powerplay against Vegas Golden Knights that resulted in a penalty against Golden Knights which the National Hockey League later apologized for the incorrect call. From 2020-2025, the Sharks experienced a six season long playoff drought as they were unable to score enough goals and their declining roster of retired or traded off players that led them to their previous success.
Rebuilding the Legacy: Present 2025
As of October, the San Jose Sharks are in the midst of a rebuild. The Sharks are no longer clinging to the past but instead entering a new chapter. With their 2024 first-overall pick Macklin Celebrini and this year’s second-overall pick Michael Misa, the San Jose Sharks are poised to rise in due time. This season represents a clear turning point for the team– a shift from past glory to long-term foundation-building. It’s a team chasing resurgence.