The San Jose Sharks’ home opener against the Vegas Golden Knights continues to draw closer. We’re now just 58 days away from the start of the 2025-26 season. The number 58 has never been worn by a member of the Sharks during the regular season, however a couple members of the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda have donned the number in the past half-decade. Mitchell Russell most recently wore the number for the Sharks’ top minor-league affiliate. He made two appearances for the Barracuda during the 2023-24 season, spending the majority of his time in the ECHL with the Wichita Thunder. Last season, Russell played ten games for the Barracuda, once again spending the majority of the season with the Thunder. For the upcoming season, Russell has signed with the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL. Prior to Russell, Dillon Hamaliuk wore the number for the Barracuda during the 2021-22 season. The Sharks’ second-round pick in 2019, Hamaliuk didn’t spend long in the organization as he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins as a part of the Erik Karlsson trade in 2023. Since then, Hamaliuk has become a regular in the ECHL. He’s currently signed with the Fort Wayne Comets for the coming season.
