Today we look at the best number 34 in San Jose Sharks history, and once again, I have a tough decision to make. Who is the best player to wear the number 34 in San Jose Sharks history? Now, if this article was about who the best overall player to wear the number 34 for the Sharks, it wouldn’t even be up for debate. It would be Miikka Kiprusoff who wore both 34 and 37 during his short period with the Sharks. However, this is about who the best was while wearing the number 34 only for the San Jose Sharks. There are a five players that have worn number 34 with the Sharks, and three of them have a combined total of six points in 3 seasons. So it really only comes down to two players.
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Miikka Kiprusoff barely wore the number 34 with the San Jose Sharks, and he only played a total of 25 games with that number, but he put up very respectable numbers. In his first year, only playing 5 games, he had a save percentage of only .902%, which is not good at all. However, his goals allowed average was 1.95, which is very good. Granted, he only played 5 games, but those are still good numbers. His second year, he played 20 games and had a save percentage of .915% and a goals allowed average of 2.49. Still a very small sample, but solid numbers that would end up being a consistent throughout his whole career. Kipper is a very strong case to be the best number 34 in Sharks history.
Patrick Rissmiller played four seasons with the San Jose Sharks, and even though he only had a small sample of games his first two seasons, his last two with the Sharks he played 79 games each season. However, his point total those two seasons left a lot to be desired. He had a combined 39 points in 158 games, which is not going to get it done for a forward. That’s why he wasn’t a member of the San Jose Sharks the next season.
When you look at the two players, it’s easy to see that the best San Jose Shark to wear the number 34 was Miikka Kiprusoff. Even though he played the amount of games a backup plays in a season while wearing number 34 with the Sharks, he put up very strong numbers and was easily the best out of all the options. So congratulations, Kipper. You were the best number 34 in San Jose Sharks history.
Happy NFL season start, everybody! Try to get into it for the next month or so before hockey starts, and then you can go back to liking hockey more.