Guide Note

The San Jose Sharks are a professional hockey team that plays in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Hockey League. For a listing of teams and their divisions, see NHL Teams.

Fast Facts

1. Inaugural season: 1991
2. Finals appearances: 0
3. Stanley Cups: 0
4. Home: HP Pavilion San Jose

After several failed attempts to bring a NHL team back to the area, the NHL granted the franchise to San Jose on May 5, 1990. The team originally played at the Cow Palace near San Francisco starting in the 1991-92 regular season. The first two seasons for the Sharks were less than successful however, as they finished in last place in the Smythe Division.

Starting in the 1993-94 regular season, the Sharks moved to their new arena, the HP Pavilion, which was soon nicknamed "The Shark Tank." They entered the post season for the first time in their history, defeating the Detroit Red Wings in the first round, but falling to the Toronto Maple Leafs in the conference semifinals.

The Sharks went though a coaching change in early 2002 when Darryl Sutter was replaced by Ron Wilson. Wilson led the team to a first place Pacific division finish that year, but again were knocked out of the playoffs in the second round. They reached the conference finals during the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but lost in six games to the Calgary Flames.

After losing several key players, the Sharks spent the next season trying to rebuild the team. On November 30, 2005 they acquired All-Star center Joe Thornton in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Bruins. Thornton along with goaltender Evgeni Nabokov led the team to the post season in 2006 and 2007. The Sharks however were defeated in the second round yet again each year.