Erik Karlsson isn’t in the Bay quite yet — the Swedish defender is still sorting out visa issues to work and live in the US — but that hasn’t kept San Jose from extending every welcome to its newest resident NHL player.
Curtis Pashelka posted a photo to Twitter of the full page ad dedicated to Karlsson in today’s Mercury News.
Full page color ad taken out by @SanJoseSharks in today’s @mercnews to welcome Erik Karlsson to town. From a business perspective, hoping the team does this for every new face on the roster from now on. pic.twitter.com/eJ8Nnatutk
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) September 16, 2018
The ad features an edited photo of Karlsson in a Sharks jersey and reads:
WELCOME TO SAN JOSE
ERIK KARLSSON
TWO-TIME JAMES NORRIS TROPHY
WINNING DEFENSEMAN
FOUR-TIME NHL FIRST-TEAM ALL STAR
NHL’S TOP SCORING DEFENSEMEN
SINCE ENTERING THE LEAGUE IN 2009-10
GET YOUR TICKETS TO SEE ERIK AND THE SHARKS
In addition to the ad, multiple billboards have been changed to welcome in the newest Shark.
Just saw a ‘welcome erik karlsson’ digital billboard all the way up in san mateo. #SharksTerritory is taking over #WelcomeErik
— AdventuresOfAHockeyFan (@Apryl404) September 15, 2018
Driving on 101 and saw two digital billboards with “Welcome to San Jose, Erik Karlsson”
Nice work @SanJoseSharks. I would have taken a photo but I didnt want to die before opening night.
— Mike Chen (@mikechenwriter) September 15, 2018
I was driving in 880 last night through Milpitas and saw 2 electronic billboards welcoming Erik Karlsson to the #SJSharks
— Chris (@Skippyc) September 15, 2018
i passed a “welcome to san jose, erik karlsson!” billboard on my way down to san jose today and i have an emotion
— rainbow sheep jartin mones 🏳️🌈 (@wiseaus) September 15, 2018
There’s an electronic billboard in Fairfield on I-80 facing westbound traffic welcoming Erik Karlsson to the San Jose Sharks. I’ve never seen anything like that here before.
— Jennifer Young (@KiddoYoung) September 15, 2018
@GackleReport Hughe digital billboard of Erik Karlsson on 280 North in San Francisco. Definitely ready for the season to start
— Steve Stone (@coldstonestev) September 14, 2018
Have you seen these around the Bay Area? I am so excited! #SJSHARKS pic.twitter.com/RzKvLqlxcO
— #SJSharkie (@sjsharkie) September 16, 2018
These ads pretty well sum up how Sharks Territory is feeling since the trade: Karlsson changes the entire tone of this team and this season. Craig Custance summed it up in his piece on the trade over on The Athletic:
But he’s great. He’s going to be great with the Sharks. There’s a good chance he’s going to do what nearly every player who goes to San Jose does – fall in love with the culture, the city, the lifestyle and decide to stay.
It’s worth the risk. When a player like Karlsson becomes available, you take that shot.
We can’t wait to have him here.
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