Pavelski pens heartfelt goodbye letter to Sharks fans

So long, captain.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Pavelski pens heartfelt goodbye letter to Sharks fans
Zuma Press

When Joe Pavelski hits this ice this upcoming offseason, he’ll do so in a jersey other than a San Jose Sharks jersey for the first time in his NHL career. The longtime Sharks captain has been with the organization since 2006, but signed a three year contract with the Dallas Stars this offseason. 

It’s going to be weird… that’s for sure.

Ten days after starting a new chapter in his career, the 35 year old Pavelski penned a heartfelt letter to the Sharks’ fanbase, released on his personal website.

Check it out:

Thank you, San Jose!
I’ll be honest, when I was drafted by the Sharks in 2003, I didn’t know a thing about San Jose. What I did know was that to be successful, there was a lot of work ahead of me. Reflecting back after playing 13 seasons, I really got to know San Jose as a city, and the Sharks organization was the perfect place to learn and grow as a professional.
Being a Shark is all I’ve known. It’s more than just wearing the uniform – it’s all the amazing fans we’ve met and the friendships we’ve made which we will cherish for the rest of our lives. The way you welcomed me to your city and embraced me meant so much. I never took for granted what it meant to skate through that Shark Head at every home game. Celebrating all those big goals and wins with my teammates will always be memorable, and being able to share it with all the great fans in the Bay Area was special.
The number of people to thank is countless, but I want to highlight all of the past and present owners, Doug Wilson, all the coaches, the training and equipment staffs, the front office, the fans and, most importantly, all of my teammates. To be successful in the NHL, you cannot do it alone, and I was lucky enough to be around such an amazing group of people that pushed each other to be better every single day. Being able to learn from and compete with captains like Patrick Marleau, Rob Blake and Joe Thornton was invaluable and has made me a better person. Playing in San Jose, you’re surrounded by such a team-oriented group, and it made our time in San Jose truly unforgettable.
My wife Sarah reminded me that we moved here with a puppy and a U-Haul. Now we’re leaving with a baby boy who’s not such a baby anymore, a gray-faced four-legged friend and a few more wrinkles around our eyes from all the laughs we’ve shared along the way. You welcomed us into your city – into your lives – and for that we thank you. San Jose will always be a place close to our hearts and our time with you has been simply incredible!
Forever grateful.
Joe #8


All the best in Dallas, Joe and thanks for 12 incredible seasons in the Bay Area.

Source: Kompany 39