NHL Team Guide
San Jose Sharks: History, Stanley Cups & Facts
The San Jose Sharks joined the NHL as an expansion team in the 1991–92 season. They reached the Stanley Cup Final once, in 2016, and won the Presidents' Trophy in 2008–09.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1990, first season 1991–92 |
|---|---|
| Arena | SAP Center, San Jose (opened 1993 as San Jose Arena) |
| First arena | Cow Palace, Daly City (1991–1993) |
| Stanley Cups | 0 through the 2025–26 season |
| Stanley Cup Final appearances | 1 (2016) |
| Presidents' Trophy | 1 (2008–09) |
Stanley Cup history
The Sharks have not won the Stanley Cup through the 2025–26 season. Their best finish was the 2016 Stanley Cup Final.
- 2016: Western Conference champions; lost the Stanley Cup Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins 4–2
- 2008–09: Presidents' Trophy
- Reached the conference final in 2004, 2010, 2011, 2016 and 2019
- Division titles: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11
Franchise history
- 1990: Awarded to George and Gordon Gund, who sold their share of the Minnesota North Stars as part of the deal.
- 1991: Played their first season, at the Cow Palace in Daly City.
- 1993: Moved into San Jose Arena.
- 1994: As the eighth seed, beat top-seeded Detroit in seven games in their first playoff appearance.
- 2009: Won the Presidents' Trophy.
- 2016: Reached the Stanley Cup Final for the first time.
- 2023: Retired a number for the first time, Patrick Marleau's No. 12.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Patrick Marleau, 1,111 |
|---|---|
| Assists | Joe Thornton, 804 |
| Goaltender wins | Evgeni Nabokov, 293 |
Retired numbers
- 12Patrick Marleau
- 19Joe Thornton
- 99Wayne Gretzky (retired across the NHL)
Hall of Famers
Joe Thornton.
Biggest rivalries
- Los Angeles Kings: California rivals who met the Sharks in the playoffs in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2016.
- Anaheim Ducks: California rivals; Anaheim beat the Presidents' Trophy-winning Sharks in the 2009 first round.
- Vegas Golden Knights: Pacific Division rivals who met San Jose in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs.
Follow the San Jose Sharks every day
Sharks Latest is Fan Arch’s daily San Jose Sharks podcast, with new episodes every day on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Have the Sharks ever won the Stanley Cup?
No, not through the 2025–26 season. They reached the Final once, in 2016, and lost to Pittsburgh in six games.
Where did the Sharks play before SAP Center?
At the Cow Palace in Daly City for their first two seasons, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
What is the Shark Tank?
The local nickname for SAP Center, the San Jose arena that opened in 1993.
Who is the Sharks' all-time leading scorer?
Patrick Marleau, with 522 goals and 1,111 points in 1,607 games.
What was the 1994 upset?
In their first playoff appearance, the eighth-seeded Sharks beat the top-seeded Detroit Red Wings. Jamie Baker scored the winning goal in a 3–2 Game 7.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.