An important question for a jersey collector like myself is, "Where do I start?"
Usually, you would want to start with one of your favorite players. Someone you can represent proudly when attending, in this case, Sharks games with. My first Sharks jersey was none other than #39, Logan Couture.
But it's 2023. There's a new core of players on the rise for the San Jose Sharks. For younger fans wondering which players should kickstart their new era of Sharks jersey collections, don't worry, I am here to help. Here are six options you can start your jersey collection with to represent the next core of Sharks players.
6. Quentin Musty - Musty was the Sharks' second, first-round pick in 2023. He was drafted 26 overall and could probably make an attempt to join the Sharks now. However, Musty is returning to his Junior hockey team for the upcoming season where he plays forward for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Last season with Sudbury, he recorded 78 points in just 53 games. He is going to be looking to make the San Jose Sharks main roster out of camp around this time, next year. You can't go wrong with a Quentin Musty jersey to start of your collection with.
5. Henry Thrun - Thrun has been an absolute monster during his first NHL training camp experience. An older prospect as a result of coming from the NCAA. Thrun captained Harvard University last season where he totaled 31 points in 33 games as a defenseman. Thrun is an exciting prospect looking to help rebuild not only the Sharks roster but more specifically the Sharks blue line as well. Any young defenseman out there are going to love modeling their games after Henry Thrun.
4. Shakir Mukhamadullin - Shakir joined the Sharks pipeline through the trade that sent Timo Meier to the New Jersey Devils. A 6'4 defenseman who is able to produce offensively is a dream come true for any team. He last played for Salavat Yulaev of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The KHL is the second-best professional ice hockey league behind the NHL. He posted 25 points in 67 games as a 20-year-old. Once he came to North America he played 12 games in the AHL for the Barracuda and notched 10 points. He is going to be a special defenseman for a long time in teal.
3. Thomas Bordeleau - Bords is no stranger to Sharks fans. He has only played a handful of games across two seasons. He spent last season in the AHL where he represented the Barracuda at the AHL all-star game. He was dominant on the Cuda's power play and is looking to earn a full-time NHL roster spot. He is a former second-round pick who was part of a spectacular Michigan Wolverines team. He is active on the Sharks' social media where fans see almost too much of him. I fully expect Thomas Bordeleau to become the next Logan Couture and develop into a really good, reliable centerman. A Bordeleau jersey to get your collection started is a highly popular route.
2. William Eklund - Eklund is considered a top 3 talent from his 2021 draft class where he unexpectedly fell to the Sharks at 7th. He last played for the Barracuda along with Bordeleau where he nearly posted 50 points, even after a slow start to the season. Eklund has been Sharks fans' pride and joy for the past few years now. We are aware of the potential and are hoping he turns into the next big superstar that the NHL expects him to be. He is hopefully going to be a Shark for the next 15 years and be an integral part of this team in bringing the Sharks their first Stanley Cup Championship. Eklund is a perfect option to start almost any jersey collection with.
1. Will Smith - The second Will Smith to enter the state of California! Will Smith is the highest Sharks draft pick since Patrick Marleau. And look how that turned out... Smith was drafted to the Sharks 4th overall in 2023. He scored an unimaginable 127 points in only 60 games with the U.S. National Team. One more time, 127 points, in 60 games. Will Smith decided that wasn't good enough, so he followed that up with 20 points in 7 games during the World Championships. He is going to be the face of the San Jose Sharks for the entirety of his career. Unfortunately, he is committed to Boston College for the 2023-2024 season, but hopefully, we will see him at the end of the year. Smith has to be the best choice for a young Sharks fan to start their jersey collection of the new era of Sharks hockey.
I got a William Eklund jersey when he was drafted. But if I had to choose from scratch right now,
Will Smith 100%.
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