The San Jose Sharks organization houses its minor league prospects directly in Northern California and Kansas, bridging the American Hockey League and ECHL to develop talent for the NHL club. The San Jose Barracuda serve as the top minor league affiliate, while the Wichita Thunder operate as the ECHL affiliate.
San Jose Barracuda AHL Season and Prospects
Entering their 12th AHL season, the San Jose Barracuda play their home games at Tech CU Arena under returning head coach John McCarthy. The team opens a 72-game schedule on October 3 against the San Diego Gulls. Several high-profile prospects feature on the roster as they push for NHL roster spots.
Forward Quentin Musty, selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, recorded 21 goals and 45 points across 61 AHL games last season. Fellow 2022 first-round pick Filip Bystedt led the Barracuda with 60 points, including 22 goals, in 65 games. Defenseman Luca Cagnoni contributed eight goals and 43 points in 67 AHL games while also making three NHL appearances for San Jose, alongside former Northeastern forward Cam Lund.
Ivar Stenberg Enters North American System
San Jose selected Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Stenberg registered 33 points in 43 games for Frölunda HC in Sweden last season before signing his entry-level contract in July. With NHL.com projecting his arrival for the 2026-27 season, determining where the 18-year-old begins his North American professional career remains a central focus of San Jose’s training camp.
Wichita Thunder ECHL Partnership
The Wichita Thunder enter their 35th anniversary season and their fifth year as the ECHL affiliate of the Sharks and Barracuda. Wichita finished the previous campaign with a 25-35-8-4 record and appointed Travis Clayton as head coach. Clayton played 13 seasons for Wichita and ranks second in franchise history in goals, assists, and points. The Thunder open their schedule on October 17 against the Tahoe Knight Monsters.
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