We’re officially just 81 days away from opening night, when the San Jose Sharks will host the Vegas Golden Knights to officially kick off the 2025-26 season.

There’s only been a single player to wear the number 81 for the team in teal, Tyler Kennedy who played parts of two seasons in the Bay Area.

Kennedy spent the first six seasons of his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, before making his way to San Jose ahead of the 2013-14 season.

Kennedy would go on to play a total of 92 games in teal over the course of two seasons, and even played three games with the Sharks’ then American Hockey League affiliate, the Worcester Sharks. In those 92 games, he totaled eight goals and 26 points.

Kennedy would be traded to the New York Islanders during the 2014-15 season. He then signed with the New Jersey Devils, and ultimately retired after the 2015-16 season.

Over the course of his career, Kennedy played a total of 527 NHL games and had a total of 215 points.

Sharks opening night is creeping closer and closer, even though it’s still 81 more days until the start of the regular season, hockey will be back before we know it.

Photo Credit: Kevin Hoffman-Imagn Images

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