The Best Number 32 In San Jose Sharks History
With 32 days until the beginning of the San Jose Sharks season, we take a look at the greatest number 32 in San Jose Sharks history.
Some players have had strong seasons wearing the number 32. Stephane Matteau had a very strong three years while wearing the number 32. Other players hardly made a dent with the Sharks while wearing number 32. Claude Lemieux, for example. At the end of the day, the number 32 comes down to a battle of the goalies. One is a household NHL name and now an assistant coach for an NHL team, while the other is just getting started with his NHL career after a very gruesome nerve injury. But when looking at the numbers, it’s very easy to see that the best number 32 in San Jose Sharks history is Alex Stalock.
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I know a lot of you may be thinking that it is way too early to deem Stalock the greatest number 32 in San Jose Sharks history considering he’s played less than 30 NHL games. But the rest of the competition, mixed with his stats, is a clear cut sign that he is in fact the best number 32 in San Jose Sharks history. The only two players that could compete were Stephane Matteau, who barely managed over 30 points as a number 32, and Arturs Irbe, who’s stats in Vancouver and Carolina were fine, but in San Jose were awful. Arturs Irbe never managed to have a save percentage over .900%, and only had one year under 3 goals allowed per game. The other 4 years of his 5 year career, he gave up 4 goals allowed for three seasons and 3.26 goals allowed the other year. It’s a clear cut sign that Alex Stalock is the best to wear the number 32 for the San Jose Sharks.
Alex Stalock hasn’t had the easiest NHL career thus far. He was drafted in the 4th round by the San Jose Sharks in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and it took him 5 years to finally play in an NHL game. He came in for relief for Antti Niemi and the Sharks ended up coming back and getting the win. Stalock played well and it seemed that the Sharks found a goalie they could rely on in the future. In a few days, everything would change.
Alex was back down in the AHL with the Worcester Sharks when he was injured by Manchester Monarch’s, now Los Angeles Kings forward Dwight King. Stalock would suffer a horrible nerve injury and it seemed his future as an NHL goaltender was all but finished. I won’t go too in depth about his injury because I’d rather talk about his comeback and last years season, but if you want to read more about it, read this story by ESPN’s Devon Heinen. It’s truly a great story.
A few years later Stalock would come back and this past season became the regular backup for the San Jose Sharks, and even though he only played 24 games, he put up statistics that are extremely impressive. He ended with a 12-5-2 record, a save percentage of .932% and a goals allowed average of 1.87. He also set the San Jose Sharks record for most consecutive shutout minutes by a goalie. In a few years, Alex Stalock went from not having an NHL career to the conversation of becoming the San Jose Sharks starting goalie. The comeback of Alex Stalock has turned into a bright spot for the future of Sharks fans. That is why Alex Stalock is the greatest number 32 in San Jose Sharks history.