A defenseman does not have to be the flashiest player on the ice to become an important part of a winning team. Sometimes, his biggest value comes from making the difficult parts of the game look routine. That is where Haoxi Wang comes in.
The Sharks selected Wang 33rd overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, making him the highest-drafted Chinese-born player in NHL history. At 6-foot-5, he already has the size that separates him from many of the other defensemen in San Jose’s system. Now, the focus is on turning that frame into a complete game.
Position: Defense
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 223 pounds
Age: 19
Draft Year: 2025 (33rd overall by the San Jose Sharks)
Shoots: Left
2026–27 Team: Boston University
The 19-year-old has already experienced more change than most players his age. Wang started last season with the Oshawa Generals, the team that drafted him in the OHL, before being traded to the Niagara IceDogs. Wang used it as another opportunity to grow, eventually taking on a larger role with Niagara. He also represented China in Division I, Group B at the 2026 IIHF World Championship (the third tier of the competition), where he helped the country earn a silver medal and was named the tournament’s best defenseman.
Then came his second Sharks development camp. Unlike his first year, Wang was no longer walking into an unfamiliar organization wondering where he fit. He knew the people, understood what was expected of him and had a better idea of what he needed to work on.
“With more time developing in the junior leagues, I definitely got better,” Wang said at development camp. “Coming into camp, I want to show our coaching staff, our management, what I improved on.”
For Wang, that improvement was about adding to what he already has. The Sharks wanted him to make better decisions, get more involved offensively and become more comfortable with the puck. Those small additions could determine what kind of player the towering defenseman eventually becomes.
What we like
Wang’s size is obviously the first thing that stands out, but it is not the only thing that makes him interesting. At 6-foot-5, he has the reach and strength to make things difficult for opposing forwards, while his defensive awareness allows him to use that size effectively.
He is also becoming more comfortable with the puck. Last season, Wang took on a bigger role and had more opportunities to make plays in the offensive zone. That experience is something the Sharks want him to build on.
“They just want me to polish my game overall … getting more solid decision-making, getting more touches in the offensive zone as well,” Wang said during development camp.
What we like most is that Wang seems willing to learn. He has already had to adjust to different teams, roles and levels of competition, and each experience has added something to his game. His defensive foundation is already there. If he can continue improving his decisions and offensive involvement, the Sharks could have a defenseman who brings more than just size.
Areas of improvement
Wang’s biggest area to watch is his offensive game. The size and defensive foundation are there, but he needs to become more comfortable with the puck and make quicker decisions. The Sharks specifically want to see him get more touches in the offensive zone. If he can add that to his defensive game without forcing plays, he becomes a much more complete defenseman.
Boston University will give him another chance to work on those areas against faster, more experienced competition.
What’s next for Wang?
Wang heads to Boston University this fall, where he will begin the next stage of his development after two seasons in the OHL. The NCAA will give him a new environment and another chance to build on the bigger role he earned with Niagara.
For now, the goal is simple: keep polishing his game. Wang knows the Sharks want better decision-making and more involvement in the offensive zone. He also knows development does not always happen in a straight line.
“Just gotta stay focused on where my feet are. Just play the game,” Wang said.
If Wang can carry that mindset into Boston, his next season could be an important step toward showing the Sharks what he can eventually become.
Highlights
2026 Top 25 Under 25 countdown … so far
22. Cole McKinney
23. Carson Wetsch
24. Mattias Havelid
25. Christian Kirsch
Honorable Mentions: Joey Muldowney, Teddy Mutryn, Andre Gasseau, Brady Knowling and Alexander Karmanov
Editor’s Note: More than 100 people voted in our fan poll this year, though admittedly, not everyone filled out the entire form, i.e., all 25 spots and the honorable mentions. In some cases, some people filled out their top ten and left the rest blank. While it makes the math a bit harder, we found the fairest (and easiest) thing to do was average the scores based on the total responses received. While blank scores counted as zero, it didn’t seem to skew the results too badly. Ultimately, this isn’t an exact science, but I think you’ll find it’s a pretty good list.
