San Jose Sharks Awards 2025-26: Celebrini, Ferraro, Askarov, and Pohlkamp Take Home Honors

The Sharks' 2025-26 season marks a turning point for the franchise, with young talent reshaping the team's identity.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 9:59am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric illustration depicting a San Jose Sharks hockey game, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of teal, black, and silver, capturing the dynamic and evolving nature of the team.The San Jose Sharks' 2025-26 season awards reflect the team's evolution, with young talent reshaping the franchise's identity.San Jose Today

The San Jose Sharks have announced their 2025-26 season awards, highlighting the individual brilliance and team evolution of the franchise. Macklin Celebrini was named Player of the Year, showcasing his dominant impact on the team. Other key award winners include Alex Wennberg, Dmitry Orlov, and Mario Ferraro, who played crucial stabilizing roles. The Rookie of the Year and Prospect of the Year awards went to Yaroslav Askarov and Eric Pohlkamp, respectively, signaling the Sharks' promising future.

Why it matters

The Sharks' 2025-26 awards reflect a team in transition, where young talent is beginning to reshape the franchise's identity. The individual accolades highlight the team's evolution, raising questions about the Sharks' ability to build a sustainable contender around players like Celebrini. The awards also showcase the depth of the Sharks' prospect pool, suggesting the team's long-term success could hinge on integrating these promising young players.

The details

Macklin Celebrini's Player of the Year award underscores his dominant impact on the team, both on the ice and in handling the unprecedented media attention. Alex Wennberg and Dmitry Orlov played pivotal roles in stabilizing the team, with Wennberg's defensive prowess and offensive contributions, and Orlov's emergence as a legitimate top-pairing defenseman. Mario Ferraro's Media Good Guy award reflects his leadership and character, while Alex Nedeljkovic's runner-up finish highlights the team's accountability. The Rookie of the Year and Prospect of the Year awards went to Yaroslav Askarov and Eric Pohlkamp, respectively, showcasing the depth of the Sharks' pipeline.

  • The San Jose Sharks' 2025-26 awards were announced on April 12, 2026.

The players

Macklin Celebrini

The Sharks' Player of the Year, Celebrini's dominance this season was not just about stats, but about his impact on the team and his ability to perform under pressure while remaining accountable to the media.

Alex Wennberg

A pivotal player for the Sharks, Wennberg's defensive prowess and offensive contributions were critical, and he has become the team's Swiss Army knife, reliable in every situation.

Dmitry Orlov

The Sharks' best defenseman this season, Orlov's ability to move the puck and kill plays was a game-changer, despite some late-season missteps.

Mario Ferraro

The Sharks' Media Good Guy award winner, Ferraro's candor and willingness to take accountability speaks volumes about his leadership and character.

Yaroslav Askarov

The Sharks' Rookie of the Year, Askarov's development could be the key to the team's long-term success, as he continues to work on consistency.

Eric Pohlkamp

The Sharks' Prospect of the Year, Pohlkamp's NCAA championship and Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist resume highlights the depth of the team's prospect pool.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What makes Celebrini's success so fascinating is how he carried the team on his back at times, all while handling an unprecedented media load for a Shark. His ability to perform under pressure while remaining accountable to the press is a testament to his maturity.”

— Author

“Wennberg's defensive prowess and offensive contributions were critical, especially given his ice time. One thing that immediately stands out is how he's become the Sharks' Swiss Army knife—reliable in every situation.”

— Author

“Orlov's ability to move the puck and kill plays was a game-changer, even if his mistakes were magnified.”

— Author

“Ferraro's willingness to take accountability speaks volumes about his role in the locker room.”

— Author

“Celebrini's patience with repetitive questions is a sign of his professionalism—something that's easy to take for granted in a young player.”

— Author

What’s next

The Sharks will look to address their defensive depth and goaltending consistency in the offseason, as they aim to build a sustainable contender around their young talent.

The takeaway

The Sharks' 2025-26 awards reflect a team in transition, with a mix of established veterans and promising young talent. The individual accolades highlight the team's evolution, raising questions about their ability to build a sustainable contender, while also showcasing the depth of their prospect pool and the importance of integrating these players into the NHL roster.