Sharks Players Eagerly Await Super Bowl LX

Several San Jose Sharks players and coaches have deep Boston-area roots and will be closely watching the Patriots in the big game.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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A handful of San Jose Sharks players and their coach, Ryan Warsofsky, are Massachusetts natives and lifelong New England Patriots fans. While they won't be attending the Super Bowl in person due to the travel, they'll be closely following the game between the Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks with keen interest, reminiscing on the team's dynasty years and hoping for another championship.

Why it matters

The Sharks organization has a distinct Boston-area flavor, with several players and the head coach hailing from Massachusetts. Their fandom and connection to the Patriots adds an extra layer of interest and investment in the outcome of Super Bowl LX for the Sharks.

The details

Sharks players Will Smith and Collin Graf, both Massachusetts natives, grew up as big Patriots fans. While Smith said he considered attending the game, the travel was too much. Graf has been closely following the Patriots' season, even discussing their early struggles with fellow Massachusetts native and Barracuda center Colin White. Despite the Patriots' recent lean years, Smith says he's 'got a bunch of championships from my childhood' to look back on.

  • Super Bowl LX will be played on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • The Patriots lost to the Raiders 20-13 in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season.

The players

Will Smith

A 20-year-old Sharks player who grew up as a Patriots fan in Massachusetts.

Collin Graf

A 23-year-old Sharks player who is also a Massachusetts native and lifelong Patriots fan.

Ryan Warsofsky

The head coach of the San Jose Sharks, who is from the Boston area.

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What they’re saying

“Too much travel. I didn't want to deal with it.”

— Will Smith (chicoer.com)

“Growing up, obviously, they were really good, so I watched all the games, then maybe a little bit less just as you got older. But I've watched all the playoff games.”

— Collin Graf, Sharks player (chicoer.com)

“I remember watching Week One, and they lost to the Raiders. I was actually talking to (Barracuda center and Massachusetts native) Colin White about it. He had faith in them the whole time. So credit to him. He believed in them from the start.”

— Collin Graf, Sharks player (chicoer.com)

“Can't complain, though. I've got a bunch of championships from my childhood, more than most people will see.”

— Will Smith, Sharks player (chicoer.com)

What’s next

The Sharks players and coach will be closely watching Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8, 2026 to see if the Patriots can win another championship.

The takeaway

The Sharks' Boston-area connections add an extra layer of interest and investment in the outcome of Super Bowl LX for the organization, as several players and the head coach will be rooting for their hometown Patriots to win another title.