Sharks' Wennberg Aims to Lift Team and Sweden to Glory

Veteran center hopes to propel San Jose to playoffs, while leading Sweden to Olympic gold.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:15pm

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Alexander Wennberg, a veteran center for the San Jose Sharks, is focused on helping his NHL team reach the playoffs for the first time since 2019, while also representing Sweden in the upcoming Olympics with the goal of winning a gold medal. Despite the Sharks' struggles in recent seasons, Wennberg saw the potential in the team and was excited to sign a contract extension, eager to be a part of the organization's rebuild.

Why it matters

Wennberg's leadership and experience are crucial for the young Sharks roster as they look to take the next step and return to the postseason. His success at the international level with Sweden could also inspire the team and provide a boost of confidence as they push for a playoff berth.

The details

Wennberg, a 'mature, smart person' and strong role model, has been providing valuable guidance to his younger teammates, especially on the defensive side of the game and in the faceoff circle. Despite the Sharks' struggles last season, finishing last in the NHL, Wennberg remained committed to the team and was eager to sign a contract extension, believing in the potential of the roster. Now, the Sharks are making strides this season, and Wennberg is looking forward to helping the team qualify for the playoffs while also representing Sweden at the Olympics, where he hopes to lead his national team to a gold medal.

  • Wennberg signed with the Sharks in 2024.
  • The Sharks finished 20-50-12 and last in the NHL with 52 points last season.
  • Wennberg and the Sharks are currently five points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, with 27 games remaining in the season.
  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place in the coming months.

The players

Alexander Wennberg

A veteran center for the San Jose Sharks who is focused on helping his NHL team reach the playoffs and representing Sweden in the upcoming Olympics with the goal of winning a gold medal.

Sharks

The NHL team that Wennberg plays for, which is currently in the midst of a rebuild and looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Sweden

The national team that Wennberg will represent at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he hopes to lead his country to a gold medal.

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What they’re saying

“He's obviously a really complete player and he's been around for a long time. So just for me to be able to learn stuff off his game and ask him for advice on face-offs and stuff as a centerman, it's been good. It's more the defensive side of it, the responsibility, but he's given me a lot of great pointers so far.”

— Misa

“The first year, I saw the potential right there. The rebuild is always tough. It's a question of when you're going to take that next step and I felt like last year we had a lot of good players, a lot of good moments. There were a lot of games we ended up losing not because we were the worst team. It was just that we would find a way to lose those games. So in the summer, I was excited to come back for more years as well.”

— Alexander Wennberg

“Now, we take another step, which is just confirming that we're doing something right.”

— Alexander Wennberg

“I love everything about it: the team, the community, the organization, the teammates. It felt like home right there, so no matter what the step is, I feel like I was committed to this and wanted to be a part of it as well. To me, it's fun. Even though I feel like I'm here to help the young kids, it also seems like my hockey is going in the right direction as well.”

— Alexander Wennberg

What’s next

Wennberg will represent Sweden at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where he hopes to lead his national team to a gold medal. Meanwhile, the Sharks will continue their push for a playoff spot, with 27 games remaining in the regular season.

The takeaway

Wennberg's leadership and experience are proving invaluable for the young Sharks roster, as he helps guide the team's rebuild and return to the playoffs. His success at the international level with Sweden could also provide a much-needed boost of confidence and inspiration for the Sharks as they look to take the next step in their development.