Alysa Liu Honored by Hometown NHL Team's Mascot

San Jose Sharks mascot Sharkie pays tribute to Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu at home game.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:23am

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Figure skater Alysa Liu, who won two gold medals at the recent Winter Olympics in Milan, was honored by her hometown NHL team, the San Jose Sharks, during a recent home game. The Sharks' mascot, Sharkie, donned Liu's iconic hairstyle and danced for the crowd before presenting Liu with a gold medal of her own to celebrate her historic Olympic achievements.

Why it matters

Liu's Olympic success has made her a national sensation, with her social media following skyrocketing from 200,000 to over 6.6 million. The Sharks' tribute highlights how Liu's star power has transcended figure skating and made her a source of pride for the entire Northern California region.

The details

Although Oakland, Liu's hometown, does not have an NHL team, the Sharks, located just 50 minutes away, consider Liu one of their own. During the Sharks' first home game after the Olympic break, the team's mascot, Sharkie, appeared on the ice wearing a wig mimicking Liu's distinctive hairstyle and performed a celebratory dance for the crowd. Sharkie then presented Liu with a gold medal of her own to honor her Olympic accomplishments.

  • The Sharks' tribute to Liu took place during their first home game after the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.
  • Liu won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

The players

Alysa Liu

A figure skater from Oakland, California who won two gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

Sharkie

The mascot of the San Jose Sharks, the NHL team located about 50 minutes from Liu's hometown of Oakland.

San Jose Sharks

The NHL team located in San Jose, California, about 50 minutes from Liu's hometown of Oakland.

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What they’re saying

“Everyone wants to be a little like Alysa Liu after winning two gold medals at the Winter Olympics. Even NHL mascots.”

— Tyler Erzberger, Author

What’s next

Liu is now preparing for the Figure Skating World Championships in Prague, which will take place just a few weeks after her Olympic triumph.

The takeaway

Alysa Liu's Olympic success has made her a source of pride for the entire Northern California region, with her hometown NHL team the San Jose Sharks honoring her achievements in a fun and creative way that showcases her growing celebrity status.