It is always an to recognize achievements of teams and players of the San Jose Sharks. Despite really only having one banner at the Shark Tank in the rafters, here at the Teal Town Zone, we have many more. Down this page are banners that salute the best players who have worn the Pacific Teal and Black.

	Greatest Turnround in NHL History - 1993-94 Season
	After an embarassing 1992-93 season that included an NHL record 71 losses, the Sharks rebuilded. With the likes of veterans Igor Larionov, Sergei Makarov, and Ulf Dahlen plus the youth of Pat Falloon, Ray Whitney, and Arturs Irbe the Sharks made their inaugral season at San Jose Arena memorable. The Sharks made a 58-point improvement from their 24 point total the previous season. The 82 points put them into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history. A stunning upset of the Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference Quarterfinals was the first series win by an expansion team in nearly 20 years. San Jose was a quarter inch away from going to the Conference Finals, when Johan Garpenlov hit the post in overtime of Game 6. But the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied and ended the Sharks' Cinderella season in Game 7 of the 1994 Western Conference Semifinals.
	33-35-16--82 points (8th place, Western Conference)
	1997 NHL All-Star Game - January 17, 1997
	San Jose was awarded the 1997 All-Star Game after the 1995 game was cancelled due to the NHL lockout. Sharks fans were greatful for the wait. Two Sharks represented San Jose. Tony Granato, a Commisioner's selection, had made a remarkable comback after a serious head injury requiring brain surgery. Due to an injury to Colorado's Joe Sakic, Granato was inserted into the starting lineup as a center. Owen Nolan was considered the real MVP of the game. Nolan, in his 3rd All-Star appearance had the time of his life. "Buster" score two late second period goals in a span of 8 seconds, an NHL All-Star Game Record. Late in the third period, after being denied his hat trick, Nolan picked up a loose puck in the neutral zone. As she skating towards Eastern Conference goaltender Dominik Hasek, Nolan pointed to the top right corner of the net. Nolan shot the puck to that corner, the puck hit the post, and into the net. "The Called Shot" is one the most memorable moments in the National Hockey League's mid-season classic.
	Pacific Division Champions - 2001-02 Season
	Led by Owen Nolan, Teemu Selanne, and Mike Ricci, the Sharks finished with a team record 44 wins. Evgeni Nabokov became the winningest goaltender in franchise history. "Nabby" also became the first netminder to score a power play goal in the NHL on March 10, 2002 at Vancouver. The All-Star Game included three Sharks All-Star starters (Owen Nolan, Vincent Damphousse, and Teemu Selanne) for the first time in team history. In a tight division race, with Los Angeles all season, the Sharks finished with 99 points and won their first Pacific Division Championship. Team Teal defeated the Phoenix Coyotes in the Western Conference Quarterfinals 4-1. The Sharks faced the defending Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche, in the Western Conference Semifinals. Colorado came back from a 3-2 series defecit to win the series that included a 5.1 earthquake in the middle of Game 6 of the series. The series included a 6-4 Sharks win in Game 3. A game in which is considered the best game in Sharks history.
	44-27-8-3--99 points (3rd place, National Hockey League)
	#39 Jeff Friesen - Banner Retired November 17, 2001
	San Jose's first round pick in the 1994 Entry Draft and is considered one of the best early round draft pick in Sharks history. Was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1994-95 after a 15 goal, 25 point season that was shortened due to a lockout. His speed made him a threat to opponents. For 10 games in 1995-96, wore #19 for his hockey hero, Steve Yzerman. Had a breakout year in 1997-98 where he scored a personal best 31 goals, which tied a franchise record at the time. "Freeze" is first all time in games played, assists, shorthanded goals, game winning goals and points, and second all time in goals, power play goals. Friesen was traded to Anaheim on March 5, 2001 with Steve Shields for Teemu Selanne. Friesen was later traded prior to the 2002-03 season to New Jersey, where he tied for the lead in goal scoring in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Friesen had the series winning goal in the Eastern Conference Finals, and have 5 goals vs. Anaheim on his way to his first Stanley Cup.
	7 Seasons			GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
	1994-2001			512	149	201	350	315
	#21 Tony Granato - Banner Retired November 17, 2001
	San Jose signed the gritty veteran prior to the 1996-97 season. The signing was risky at the time. Granato had suffered a carrer-threatening injury to his head that required brain surgery. 9 months after the incident, Granato was wearing teal. He was named to the 1997 Western Conference All-Star team and was inserted into the lineup as a starter. For his courageous comeback, Granato received the 1996-97 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, given to the player "who best exemplifies the qualities if perserverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." A fan favorite, Granato played his role as a gritty player that has a scoring touch, a fixture among many Sharks players. Granato retired prior to the 2001-02 season and became a contributor to the Sharks Radio Network. After being an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche two months into the 2002-03 season, he was named head coach and led the Avalanche to 9th consecutive division title. Tony's younger sister, Cammi is the captain of Team USA's women's hockey team.
	5 Seasons			GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
	1996-2001			279	57	42	99	387
	#32 Arturs Irbe - Banner Retired September 16, 2002
	Acquired from the Minnesota North Stars in the 1991 Dispersal Draft, "Archie" was one of five goaltenders used in the Sharks 1991-92 Inaugural Season. Irbe was in net for San Jose's first shutout vs. Los Angeles on November 17, 1992. Played in 74 games in the 1993-94 season and led the Sharks to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in team history. That year he became the first San Jose netminder to play in the NHL All-Star Game. "Like Wall" is second all-time in wins by a Sharks goaltender with 57. Signed with Dallas prior to the 1996-97 and played with Vancouver in 1997-98. The following year he led the Carolina Hurricanes to its first Southeast Division Championship. 2002 was the starting netminder for the Hurricanes in their Stanley Cup Finals appearance.
	5 Seasons	GP	W	L	T	MIN	SO	GAA
	1991-96	183	57	91	26	10,286	8	3.87
	#13 Jamie Baker - Banner Retired September 16, 2002
	Signed as a free agent in August of 1993, Baker will forever be remembered by long time Sharks fans. He scored two goals @ Los Angeles on April 5, 1994 to clinch the first playoff berth in San Jose Sharks history. Baker will also be remembered for stealing an arrant pass by Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood, firing the puck into Detroit's empty net for the series winning goal in Game 7 of the 1994 Western Conference Quarterfinals. Baker was traded to Toronto for Todd Gill in 1996, but returned to the Sharks in 1998. He became the second player to have two stints with the Sharks (first was Bob Errey) and played in one game with San Jose during their trip to Japan. Baker retired in 1998 and does numerous clinics with Sharks broadcaster Drew Remenda during the hockey season.
	4 Seasons			GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
	1993-96, 1998			187	35	27	62	139
	Head Coach Darryl Sutter - Banner Retired December 2, 2002
	Named head coach in the summer of 1997, Darryl Sutter was the first Sharks head coach with previous head coaching experience. He turned a team of bottom feeders in the Western Conference to legitimate Stanley Cup Contenders. He improved the the team in each full season he has coached. Sutter had never missed the playoffs as a player or a coach in his hockey career. He led San Jose to five consecutive postseasons, including two series wins. With his tutoring, Team Teal won it's first Pacific Division title in 2001-02. Sutter is the Sharks all time leader in wins (192) and games coached (434). Roguh times began during the 2002 offseason. Without the team's All-Star goaltender, best offensive defenseman, and a leading scorer to begin the year, Team Teal was at the bottom of the Pacific Division standings. On December 1, 2002, San Jose fired Sutter. He will forever be remembered for bringing respectability to the Sharks and making fans proud to wear teal.
	5+ Regular Seasons	Games	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	Win %
	1997-2002	434	192	167	58	7*	389	.512
	5 Postseasons				*-Overtime losses were not counted until 2000-01
	1998-2002	43	18	25
	#11 Owen Nolan - Banner Retired March 5, 2003
	Traded by the Colorado Avalanche in 1995 for Sandis Ozolinsh, Owen Nolan was mad that he wouldn't be a part of a Stanley Cup celebration. In San Jose, the team was built around him. He showed all aspects of a power forward should be. He can score, hit, fight, and overall be a leader. That was the reason why "Buster" was named captain early in the 1998-99 season. Nolan will be most remembered for "The Called Shot" in the 1997 NHL All-Star Game in San Jose. He called his shot on Eastern Conference goaltender Dominik Hasek to complete his only All-Star Hat Trick in his career. He represented the Sharks at the mid-season classic four times (1996, 1997, 2000, 2002). He left Teal Town as the all-time leader in goals, assists, and points. He is also the longest serving captain in team history. Nolan was traded on March 5, 2003 to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two players and a first round draft pick.
	8 Seasons			GP	G	A	PTS	PIM
	1995-2003			568	206	245	451	944