Founded in 1991 as an expansion team, the Sharks have won the Pacific Division six times: in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, and have made the Stanley Cup playoffs in 18 of their 24 years in the League.
Igor Larionov was another early player for the team, who along with Ed Belfour are the only Sharks to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
[2] The Sharks grew into a perennial Pacific Division contender in the 2000s following the drafting of several players, among them including forward Patrick Marleau, taken second overall in 1997, who holds the franchise records for the most goals (404) and points (861).
[4] Joe Thornton, future Hall of Famer, was acquired in a trade with the Boston Bruins in 2005, Thornton won the Art Ross and Hart Memorial Trophies as the NHL's top scorer and most valuable player, respectively in his first season in San Jose.
He has appeared in three NHL All-Star Games while a member of the Sharks, and won a gold medal competing for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.