The San Jose Sharks' season is just around the corner. This weekend is the 2025 prospect tournaments around the NHL. We are also just eight days away from preseason hockey and 26 days away from the official kickoff of the 2025-26 season against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 9 at 10 p.m.
Because of that, let's take a look at the Sharks’ long history with the jersey number 26.
There have been 16 players to wear the number. The first time it was worn was back in the 1991-92 season, which was the Sharks' first in the NHL. Now, as we head into the 2025-26 season, it is still being worn.
The first player to wear it was Peter Lappin during the inaugural season. He only wore the number for one game and failed to record a point.
Next up was Robin Bawa, who played for four teams over four seasons and suited up for the Sharks during the 1992-93 season. He appeared in 45 games and scored five goals.
Petri Skriko also wore number 26 during the 1992-93 season. After spending seven years with the Vancouver Canucks, he bounced around the league until making his final stop in San Jose. He only played in 17 games with the Sharks but tallied seven points.
Vlastimil Kroupa spent four seasons with the Sharks from 1993-97, beginning at just 18 years old. As a defenseman, he wasn’t expected to put up big numbers, and in 103 games he scored four goals and 18 assists for 22 points. After leaving San Jose, he played two games with the New Jersey Devils before heading back overseas to finish his career.
Journeyman Ray Sheppard wore 26 during his short stint with the Sharks in 1995-96, a season he also split between Detroit and Florida. With San Jose, he played 51 games, scoring 27 goals and adding 19 assists for 46 points. Across his career, Sheppard played in 817 games, scoring 357 goals and 300 assists for 657 points.
Chris LiPuma joined the Sharks in 1996-97 after four years with the Tampa Bay Lightning. His stay was brief, playing only eight games without a point.
Dave Lowry, father of Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry, wore both 15 and 26 for the Sharks over three seasons. A true journeyman, he played for five teams across 19 years. With San Jose, he appeared in 143 games, collecting 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points, along with 93 penalty minutes.
Jim Montgomery, now head coach of the St. Louis Blues, once donned the Sharks’ sweater. He played 28 games in 2000-01, recording one goal and six assists.
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Mike Craig was the next to wear 26, during the 2001-02 season. He had also worn number 25 during 1998-99. Across his two stints, he played just three games with the Sharks and did not record a point.
Lynn Loyns had a short stay with the Sharks, appearing in 21 games over two seasons. He managed three goals during that time.
Steve Bernier began his NHL career in San Jose, wearing both 26 and 46. Other than New Jersey, the Sharks were the team he spent the longest stretch with. In three seasons, he played 160 games, recording 42 goals and 39 assists for 81 points.
Michal Handzuš played over 1,000 NHL games during his 15-year career, 95 of them with the Sharks between 2012 and 2014. He scored eight goals and 18 assists for 26 points during his San Jose stint.
Number 26 wasn’t worn again until 2022, when Jasper Weatherby claimed it. In his lone NHL season, he played 50 games with the Sharks, scoring 11 points. He later spent time in the AHL before heading overseas to play in Czechia, where he still plays today.
Jacob MacDonald wore both 26 and 9 during his two seasons in San Jose. He suited up for 59 games, scoring eight goals and adding seven assists for 15 points. He continues to play at the AHL level.
Andrew Agozzino had an unusual career, playing for five NHL teams across seven years but appearing in just 51 games. With the Sharks, he played four games in 2022-23, scoring one goal and two assists. He currently plays in the AHL, most recently with the Tucson Roadrunners, affiliate of the Utah Mammoth.
The last name on this list is Jack Thompson, who currently wears 26 for the Sharks. He is not a lock to make the team this season, so another player may take the number. If he does crack the roster, though, he’ll continue to wear it. So far, Thompson has played 33 games with San Jose, recording 10 points.
With the Sharks’ rookie camp wrapping up, we are just days away from the start of NHL training camps. Both myself and William will have you covered on all things Sharks, so be sure to bookmark the site to stay up to date.
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