1995–96 San Jose Sharks season

1995–96 San Jose Sharks
Division7th Pacific
Conference13th Western
1995–96 record20–55–7
Home record12–26–3
Road record8–29–4
Goals for252
Goals against357
Team information
General managerChuck Grillo (Oct-Mar)
Dean Lombardi
CoachKevin Constantine (Oct-Dec)
Jim Wiley (Dec-Apr)
CaptainJeff Odgers
ArenaSan Jose Arena
Average attendance17,190
Minor league affiliate(s)Kansas City Blades
Mobile Mysticks
Team leaders
GoalsOwen Nolan (29)
AssistsCraig Janney (49)
PointsCraig Janney (62)
Penalty minutesJeff Odgers (192)
Plus/minusDarren Turcotte (+8)
WinsChris Terreri (13)
Goals against averageChris Terreri (3.70)

The 1995–96 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' fifth season of operation in the National Hockey League. The Sharks failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1993, finishing with the worst record in the NHL that season.

Offseason

Regular season

On December 2, head coach Kevin Constantine was fired after a 3–18–4 start and replaced by assistant coach Jim Wiley.[1]

On March 6, director of player personnel and effectively co-general manager Chuck Grillo was fired, leaving Dean Lombardi as the sole general manager of the team.[2]

The Sharks allowed the most goals (357), the most even-strength goals (244), the most power-play goals (93), had the lowest penalty-kill percentage (76.57%), the fewest shutouts for (0) and the fewest shots on goal (2,143).[3] On January 13, 1996, Ray Sheppard scored a hat trick as the Sharks defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 10–8 in Pittsburgh. It was the highest scoring game of the NHL regular season.[4]

Final standings

Pacific Division
No. GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Colorado Avalanche 82 47 25 10 326 240 104
2 Calgary Flames 82 34 37 11 241 240 79
3 Vancouver Canucks 82 32 35 15 278 278 79
4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 35 39 8 234 247 78
5 Edmonton Oilers 82 30 44 8 240 304 68
6 Los Angeles Kings 82 24 40 18 256 302 66
7 San Jose Sharks 82 20 55 7 252 357 47

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[5]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 62 13 7 325 181 131
2 Colorado Avalanche PAC 82 47 25 10 326 240 104
3 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 40 28 14 273 220 94
4 Toronto Maple Leafs CEN 82 34 36 12 247 252 80
5 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 32 34 16 219 248 80
6 Calgary Flames PAC 82 34 37 11 241 240 79
7 Vancouver Canucks PAC 82 32 35 15 278 278 79
8 Winnipeg Jets CEN 82 36 40 6 275 291 78
9 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 35 39 8 234 247 78
10 Edmonton Oilers PAC 82 30 44 8 240 304 68
11 Dallas Stars CEN 82 26 42 14 227 280 66
12 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 24 40 18 256 302 66
13 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 20 55 7 252 357 47

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy


Schedule and results

1995–96 regular season[6]
October: 0–7–3 (home: 0–5–1; road: 0–2–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 L October 7, 1995 3–4 Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) 0–1–0 Recap
2 T October 12, 1995 6–6 OT Boston Bruins (1995–96) 0–1–1 Recap
3 L October 14, 1995 6–7 Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) 0–2–1 Recap
4 L October 17, 1995 2–7 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) 0–3–1 Recap
5 T October 19, 1995 3–3 OT @ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) 0–3–2 Recap
6 T October 22, 1995 1–1 OT @ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) 0–3–3 Recap
7 L October 25, 1995 1–6 Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) 0–4–3 Recap
8 L October 28, 1995 3–4 Dallas Stars (1995–96) 0–5–3 Recap
9 L October 30, 1995 3–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) 0–6–3 Recap
10 L October 31, 1995 3–5 New York Rangers (1995–96) 0–7–3 Recap
November: 3–10–1 (home: 2–4–1; road: 1–6–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
11 T November 2, 1995 3–3 OT New Jersey Devils (1995–96) 0–7–4 Recap
12 W November 4, 1995 7–3 St. Louis Blues (1995–96) 1–7–4 Recap
13 L November 7, 1995 3–7 @ Hartford Whalers (1995–96) 1–8–4 Recap
14 L November 8, 1995 2–7 @ Buffalo Sabres (1995–96) 1–9–4 Recap
15 L November 10, 1995 1–9 Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) 1–10–4 Recap
16 L November 11, 1995 2–5 Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) 1–11–4 Recap
17 L November 14, 1995 3–5 New York Islanders (1995–96) 1–12–4 Recap
18 L November 16, 1995 1–3 @ St. Louis Blues (1995–96) 1–13–4 Recap
19 L November 17, 1995 1–2 @ Dallas Stars (1995–96) 1–14–4 Recap
20 W November 19, 1995 3–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) 2–14–4 Recap
21 L November 21, 1995 2–3 @ Washington Capitals (1995–96) 2–15–4 Recap
22 L November 22, 1995 2–5 @ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) 2–16–4 Recap
23 W November 25, 1995 7–2 Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) 3–16–4 Recap
24 L November 29, 1995 3–5 Calgary Flames (1995–96) 3–17–4 Recap
December: 5–8–0 (home: 4–3–0; road: 1–5–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
25 L December 1, 1995 2–7 @ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) 3–18–4 Recap
26 W December 2, 1995 5–3 Washington Capitals (1995–96) 4–18–4 Recap
27 L December 5, 1995 2–12 @ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) 4–19–4 Recap
28 W December 7, 1995 5–3 Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) 5–19–4 Recap
29 L December 9, 1995 2–4 Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) 5–20–4 Recap
30 W December 12, 1995 2–1 Ottawa Senators (1995–96) 6–20–4 Recap
31 L December 14, 1995 1–4 Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) 6–21–4 Recap
32 L December 16, 1995 2–3 @ St. Louis Blues (1995–96) 6–22–4 Recap
33 L December 17, 1995 2–4 @ Dallas Stars (1995–96) 6–23–4 Recap
34 W December 19, 1995 7–4 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) 7–23–4 Recap
35 W December 22, 1995 4–3 Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) 8–23–4 Recap
36 L December 26, 1995 1–5 Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) 8–24–4 Recap
37 L December 29, 1995 2–4 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) 8–25–4 Recap
January: 3–10–0 (home: 1–4–0; road: 2–6–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
38 L January 3, 1996 1–3 Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) 8–26–4 Recap
39 L January 5, 1996 2–5 Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) 8–27–4 Recap
40 L January 6, 1996 5–7 @ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) 8–28–4 Recap
41 L January 8, 1996 2–5 Florida Panthers (1995–96) 8–29–4 Recap
42 L January 10, 1996 4–7 @ New York Rangers (1995–96) 8–30–4 Recap
43 W January 11, 1996 2–1 @ New Jersey Devils (1995–96) 9–30–4 Recap
44 W January 13, 1996 10–8 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1995–96) 10–30–4 Recap
45 L January 16, 1996 1–4 @ Florida Panthers (1995–96) 10–31–4 Recap
46 L January 17, 1996 4–6 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) 10–32–4 Recap
47 L January 24, 1996 2–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) 10–33–4 Recap
48 L January 25, 1996 1–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) 10–34–4 Recap
49 L January 27, 1996 3–4 OT Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) 10–35–4 Recap
50 W January 30, 1996 8–2 Hartford Whalers (1995–96) 11–35–4 Recap
February: 3–7–2 (home: 2–1–1; road: 1–6–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
51 T February 1, 1996 6–6 OT Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) 11–35–5 Recap
52 L February 3, 1996 1–4 Chicago Blackhawks (1995–96) 11–36–5 Recap
53 W February 5, 1996 6–4 Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) 12–36–5 Recap
54 W February 10, 1996 6–1 @ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) 13–36–5 Recap
55 L February 12, 1996 0–3 @ Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) 13–37–5 Recap
56 L February 14, 1996 3–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1995–96) 13–38–5 Recap
57 T February 15, 1996 2–2 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1995–96) 13–38–6 Recap
58 L February 17, 1996 2–4 @ New York Islanders (1995–96) 13–39–6 Recap
59 L February 20, 1996 3–5 @ Calgary Flames (1995–96) 13–40–6 Recap
60 L February 23, 1996 1–3 @ Vancouver Canucks (1995–96) 13–41–6 Recap
61 L February 25, 1996 3–4 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) 13–42–6 Recap
62 W February 26, 1996 7–4 Montreal Canadiens (1995–96) 14–42–6 Recap
March: 4–9–1 (home: 1–7–0; road: 3–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
63 L March 1, 1996 3–7 Tampa Bay Lightning (1995–96) 14–43–6 Recap
64 L March 3, 1996 1–5 Calgary Flames (1995–96) 14–44–6 Recap
65 W March 5, 1996 5–3 @ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) 15–44–6 Recap
66 L March 6, 1996 1–2 Dallas Stars (1995–96) 15–45–6 Recap
67 L March 8, 1996 2–4 @ Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) 15–46–6 Recap
68 W March 10, 1996 6–4 Buffalo Sabres (1995–96) 16–46–6 Recap
69 L March 13, 1996 3–8 Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) 16–47–6 Recap
70 L March 15, 1996 2–4 St. Louis Blues (1995–96) 16–48–6 Recap
71 L March 17, 1996 2–8 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1995–96) 16–49–6 Recap
72 T March 18, 1996 3–3 OT @ Boston Bruins (1995–96) 16–49–7 Recap
73 W March 20, 1996 7–1 @ Winnipeg Jets (1995–96) 17–49–7 Recap
74 W March 22, 1996 2–1 OT @ Calgary Flames (1995–96) 18–49–7 Recap
75 L March 28, 1996 3–8 Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) 18–50–7 Recap
76 L March 31, 1996 2–4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) 18–51–7 Recap
April: 2–4–0 (home: 2–2–0; road: 0–2–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
77 W April 2, 1996 6–3 Detroit Red Wings (1995–96) 19–51–7 Recap
78 W April 4, 1996 5–3 Edmonton Oilers (1995–96) 20–51–7 Recap
79 L April 6, 1996 1–5 @ Colorado Avalanche (1995–96) 20–52–7 Recap
80 L April 7, 1996 3–5 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1995–96) 20–53–7 Recap
81 L April 10, 1996 2–6 @ Los Angeles Kings (1995–96) 20–54–7 Recap
82 L April 12, 1996 0–6 Calgary Flames (1995–96) 20–55–7 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Player statistics

Scoring

  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
No. Player Pos Regular season
GP G A Pts +/- PIM
15 Craig Janney‡ C 71 13 49 62 −35 26
11 Owen Nolan† RW 72 29 32 61 −30 137
26 Ray Sheppard†‡ RW 51 27 19 46 −19 10
19 Jeff Friesen LW 79 15 31 46 −19 42
8 Kevin Miller‡ C 68 22 20 42 −8 41
14 Ray Whitney LW 60 17 24 41 −23 16
33 Marcus Ragnarsson D 71 8 31 39 −24 42
13 Jamie Baker C 77 16 17 33 −19 79
22 Ulf Dahlen LW 59 16 12 28 −21 27
18 Chris Tancill C 45 7 16 23 −12 20
3[a] Doug Bodger† D 57 4 19 23 −18 50
42 Shean Donovan RW 74 13 8 21 −17 39
38 Michal Sykora D 79 4 16 20 −14 54
25 Viktor Kozlov C 62 6 13 19 −15 6
34[b] Yves Racine† D 32 1 16 17 −3 28
36 Jeff Odgers RW 78 12 4 16 −4 192
23 Andrei Nazarov LW 42 7 7 14 −15 62
37 Ville Peltonen LW 31 2 11 13 −7 14
43 Jan Caloun RW 11 8 3 11 4 0
9[c] Darren Turcotte† C 9 6 5 11 8 4
16 Dody Wood C 32 3 6 9 0 138
4 Jay More D 74 2 7 9 −32 147
44 Vlastimil Kroupa D 27 1 7 8 −17 18
2 Jim Kyte D 57 1 7 8 −12 146
40 Mike Rathje D 27 0 7 7 −16 14
48 Alexei Yegorov RW 9 3 2 5 −5 2
41 Tom Pederson D 60 1 4 5 −9 40
30 Chris Terreri† G 46 0 5 5 4
21 Dave Brown RW 37 3 1 4 4 46
6 Sandis Ozolinsh‡ D 7 1 3 4 2 4
17 Pat Falloon‡ RW 9 3 0 3 −1 4
7 Igor Larionov‡ C 4 1 1 2 −6 0
28 Sergei Bautin† D 1 0 0 0 −1 2
31 Wade Flaherty G 24 0 0 0 0
32 Arturs Irbe G 22 0 0 0 4
29 Geoff Sarjeant G 4 0 0 0 2

Goaltending

  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
No. Player Regular season
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
30 Chris Terreri† 46 13 29 1 1322 155 3.70 .883 0 2516
32 Arturs Irbe 22 4 12 4 607 85 4.59 .860 0 1112
31 Wade Flaherty 24 3 12 1 689 92 4.85 .866 0 1137
29 Geoff Sarjeant 4 0 2 1 87 14 4.92 .839 0 171

Awards and records

Awards

Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(annual) 		Lester Patrick Trophy George Gund III [7]
League
(in-season) 		NHL All-Star Game selection Owen Nolan [8]
Team Sharks Player of the Year Jamie Baker [9]
Sharks Rookie of the Year Marcus Ragnarsson [9]

Milestones

Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Marcus Ragnarsson October 7, 1995 [10]
Ville Peltonen October 12, 1995
Alexei Yegorov February 10, 1996
Jan Caloun March 18, 1996

Transactions

Draft picks

San Jose's draft picks at the 1995 NHL entry draft held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta.[11]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team
1 12 Teemu Riihijarvi Left Wing  Finland K-Espoo Jrs
2 38 Peter Roed Center  United States White Bear Lake H.S
3 64 Marko Makinen Right Wing  Finland TPS Jrs
4 90 Vesa Toskala Goalie  Finland Ilves Jr
5 116 Miikka Kiprusoff Goalie  Finland TPS Jr
5 130 Michal Bros Center  Czech Republic HC Olomouc
6 140 Timo Hakanen Center  Finland Assat Jrs
6 142 Jaroslav Kudrna Left Wing  Czech Republic Penticton Panthers
7 167 Brad Mehalko Right Wing  Canada Lethbridge Hurricanes
7 168 Robert Jindrich Defense  Czech Republic Plzen HC
8 194 Ryan Kraft Center  United States U. of Minnesota
9 220 Mikko Markkanen Right Wing  Finland TPS Jrs

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Bodger wore number 5 in his first two games.
  2. ^ Racine wore number 47 in his first two games.
  3. ^ Turcotte wore number 47 in his first game.

References

  • "San Jose Sharks 1995-96 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  • "1995-96 San Jose Sharks Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  1. ^ McKeon, Ross (December 3, 1995). "Sharks fire coach Constantine". sfgate.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  2. ^ Cooper, Tony (March 7, 1996). "Sharks Are All Dean's Now / Grillo fired -- Lombardi takes charge". sfgate.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "1995-96 NHL Summary".
  4. ^ "San Jose Sharks at Pittsburgh Penguins Box Score — January 13, 1996".
  5. ^ "1995-1996 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  6. ^ "1995-96 San Jose Sharks Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "Lester Patrick Trophy". records.nhl.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  8. ^ "1996 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  9. ^ a b 2014–15 San Jose Sharks Media Guide, p.255–58
  10. ^ "1995-96 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "1995 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved August 28, 2023.