We are just 32 days away from the San Jose Sharks opening their season at the SAP Center against the Vegas Golden Knights on Oct. 9 at 10 p.m.

When it comes to jersey history, number 32 with the San Jose Sharks has an interesting trend. Only nine players have worn it, and most have been goalies. The first appearance came back in 1991-92 during the Sharks’ debut season, and the last time it was worn was in 2023. Let’s take a look back at the players who have worn #32 in franchise history.

The first to do so was Artūrs Irbe, who wore the number from 1991 to 1996. His rookie season at age 24 kicked off his NHL career, and he went on to play five years in San Jose. Over that span, he posted a 57-91-26 record with an .889 save percentage (SV%) and a 3.47 goals-against average (GAA). His final year with the club was a rough one, and he was released before joining the Dallas Stars in 1996-97. After that, he spent a season in Vancouver before becoming Carolina’s starter for six years.

Kelly Hrudey was the next to wear 32. He came to San Jose at the very end of his career after long runs with the Islanders and Kings. In two seasons with the Sharks, he put up a 20-40-7 record with an .892 SV% and a 3.04 GAA.

Murray Craven followed in 1999-00, though he spent three years with the team overall. Like Hrudey, he was near the end of his career by the time he joined San Jose, having previously played for Detroit, Philadelphia, Hartford, Vancouver, and Chicago. With the Sharks, he collected 16 goals and 29 assists for 45 points in 129 games.

Stéphane Matteau was next. He wore 37 from 1997 to 1999 before switching to 32 from 2000 to 2002. Over five years in San Jose, he appeared in 345 games and produced 55 goals and 64 assists for 119 points.

Former Shark Signs PTO With Hurricanes Elliotte Friedman<a href="https://x.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/1964697408752988591"> is reporting</a> that Kevin Labanc will be heading to camp with the Carolina Hurricanes on a professional tryout (PTO). The former San Jose Sharks forward is hoping to land a contract and extend his NHL career.

After that came Miroslav Zálešák, a Slovak forward drafted by the Sharks in the fourth round in 1998. He made his NHL debut in 2002-03 but only played 12 games over two seasons, picking up three points before heading back to Slovakia to finish his career.

Claude Lemieux wore 32 in 2008-09. At 43 years old, he joined the Sharks late in his career but only played 18 games, recording a single assist. Of course, Lemieux’s career as a whole is well known. He appeared in 1,215 NHL games, scored 786 points, and racked up 1,777 penalty minutes while playing for Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, Phoenix, and Dallas.

Alex Stalock took over the number for parts of six seasons, mostly serving as a backup. He played in 63 games, posting a 47-24-20 record with a .908 SV% and a 2.45 GAA. After leaving in 2015-16, he returned in 2021-22 following a stint in Minnesota, though he only saw action in one game during his second run with the Sharks.

Josef Kořenář was next, appearing in 10 games during the 2020-21 season. He went 3-5-0 with an .889 SV% and a 3.17 GAA. After leaving San Jose, he played two games with the Coyotes in 2021-22 before his NHL career ended.

Finally, Eetu Mäkiniemi most recently wore 32 in 2022-23. The young goalie played just two games, recording a 1-0-1 record with a .906 SV% and a 2.13 GAA. He left the NHL at 23 and has yet to return.

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