Hockey in San Jose is More than just the Sharks

San Jose State University is the home to another competitive hockey team besides the San Jose Sharks.

San Jose State University has many clubs on campus, but the club Ice Hockey team has become a mainstay.

Even though it has flown under the radar, Spartan Ice Hockey has been around since 1990. There is a rich history of Spartan alumni who have played and are now involved in the NHL. 

Current San Jose Sharks video coach Nick Gialdini played for the ACHA club team. According to Elite Prospects, Gialdini played 28 games and had 10 points.

This season, the Spartans have continued to recover the number of players on its roster. When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit, the Spartans did not compete until Sept. 2021 with a severely diminished roster. 

Goaltender Nick Checklenis has done much of the heavy lifting for this prideful hockey club. Checklenis was tasked with getting the schedule together, obtaining the ice time used for practice, team dues, and more.

He juggles all that while being the team's No. 1 netminder. Don't forget he is attending graduate school on top of everything else.

"In terms of recruiting, we got a ton more recruits this year than we had last year," Checklenis said after practice. "We got a ton of new young guys that are showing up at practice and look super good. In terms of scheduling, we're trying to get as many games as we can [and] just get as much experience as a team."

Via Black Dog Hockey

He is an athletic goaltender who has worked with San Jose Sharks goaltending coach Thomas Speer.

In 32 games for the Spartans, Checklenis owns a .901 save % and a record of 14-12-4.

"Cal should probably be the best game," Checklenis said about what game he most looks forward to. "I think with Cal, we're trying to push a Battle of the Bay. We're still crossing our fingers that it's going to be in Tech CU Arena. Hopefully, we're gonna get a good turnout there, and the hockey should be pretty good." 

Felipe Castellanos is entering his second season for the San Jose State Spartans. Castellanos was a tremendous offensive producer for the club during his rookie season.

According to the ACHA website, Castellanos scored 43 points (20 goals, 23 assists) in 24 games for the Spartans.

Via Black Dog Hockey

Coming into this season, Castellanos feels he is ready to take the new players under his wing.

"It's always rewarding just hanging out with guys and getting to know new teammates," Castellanos said. "Especially when they come in and [to] make them feel the same way that I felt when I first got to SJSU. [I] just welcome that culture and the good atmosphere."

Castellanos did some recruiting himself the summer before his rookie season. He convinced his good friend Donovan Garcia to attend San Jose State and join the team.

Garcia was the Spartans leading point scorer last season, with 60 (28 goals, 32 assists).

One of Garcia's best moments last season was scoring a game-tying shorthanded goal against Cal. The Spartans were down 6-3 late in the third period. This goal completed the comeback for SJSU.

Via Black Dog Hockey

School is back in session this week, and the Spartans have returned to the ice for practice.

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Spartan Hockey games return to Sharks Ice San Jose in September.

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