Sharks Alumni Nights announced
Twelve former Sharks will return to SAP Center to be honored by the team this season over 11 nights.
The Sharks sent out a press release this morning listing the former Sharks that will appear on Alumni Nights throughout the season.
With it being the 25th anniversary season, the team is bring back names from the past to honor them. Expect appearances on broadcasts and pre-game ceremonies - including the puck drop.
Here's who's appearing and when, per the release:
OPPONENT ALUMNI Los Angeles Scott Thornton Anaheim Owen Nolan Owen Nolan Mini-Locker Giveaway presented by Kaiser Permanente Calgary Ryane Clowe Dec. 5 Tampa Bay Bryan Marchment Dec. 12 Minnesota Mike Rathje Jan. 2 Winnipeg Kyle McLaren Toronto Mike Ricci Mike Ricci Mini-Locker Giveaway presented by AAA Jan. 18 Ottawa Igor Larionov Jan. 23 Minnesota Gary Suter March 5 Vancouver Marco Sturm &
Jeff FriesenMarch 12 Washington Evgeni Nabokov Evgeni Nabokov Mini-Locker Giveaway *Additional Alumni Nights may be added at a later date
It's nice to see the Sharks really starting to embrace the team's history. It makes sense for the 25th anniversary, but it seems like they really started getting the alumni program going last year at the Stadium Series game. Hopefully the alumni program sticks around prominently for years to come.
Clowe is a little bit of a surprise. As announced last month, he's still technically part of the Devils, though his career is over due to injuries. You hate the situation that led to it, but it's great to see him embraced by the Sharks so quickly.
March 5th might be the most fun night for me. I think the names I first associated with the Sharks growing up were Jeff Friesen, Marco Sturm and Patrick Marleau. It'll be neat to see all three of them together.
Anyone else you'd love to see given an Alumni Night? Vinny Damphousse, perhaps?
(Personally, I'm rooting for a James Sheppard night. Go Kloten!)