Meet the Dogs of the San Jose Sharks

From Stella to Ebba, the furry friends of the Sharks players

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The San Jose Sharks players are introducing their beloved canine companions, from Tyler Toffoli's energetic Yorkie Stella to John Klingberg's loyal Chocolate Lab Ebba. Learn how these players came to adopt their four-legged friends and the stories behind their unique names.

Why it matters

The dogs of the San Jose Sharks provide a glimpse into the personal lives of the players, showing how they balance their professional hockey careers with caring for their beloved pets. These furry friends offer companionship, stress relief, and a sense of home for the players as they navigate the demands of the NHL season.

The details

The Sharks' roster is full of dog lovers, with players like Adam Gaudette, Alex Nedeljkovic, and Zach Ostapchuk sharing their pups' stories. Gaudette has two Maltese-Yorkies named Stella and Zeus, while Nedeljkovic has a Black Lab named Zeke and a Golden Retriever named Brady. Ostapchuk's Morkie, Stewie, was named after his favorite Family Guy character. Even Dmitry Orlov joins in the fun with his cat, Joy. The players share how they chose their pets' names and the special bonds they've formed with their furry friends.

  • The Sharks players introduced their dogs in a series of stories throughout the 2024-2025 NHL season.

The players

Tyler Toffoli

A forward for the San Jose Sharks who adopted a Yorkie named Stella.

Sam Dickinson

A rookie defenseman for the San Jose Sharks who has an English Goldendoodle named Arnold Palmer.

Adam Gaudette

A forward for the San Jose Sharks who has two Maltese-Yorkies named Stella and Zeus.

John Klingberg

A defenseman for the San Jose Sharks who has a 9-year-old Chocolate Lab named Ebba.

Zach Ostapchuk

A forward prospect for the San Jose Sharks who has a Morkie (Maltese-Yorkie mix) named Stewie.

Alex Nedeljkovic

A goaltender for the San Jose Sharks who has a Black Lab named Zeke and a Golden Retriever named Brady.

Dmitry Orlov

A defenseman for the San Jose Sharks who has a cat named Joy.

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What they’re saying

“We have two of them. They're back home, it's just a lot to take them out here with both kids, and our in-laws live two minutes away from our house, so they're basically home all the time.”

— Adam Gaudette, forward (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“My dog is 9 years old, she's a Chocolate Lab named Ebba. It's a Swedish name and something that me and my wife thought was cute. If we didn't name our dog that, we probably would have named our daughter that.”

— John Klingberg, defenseman (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“We got a Black Lab named Zeke, he's 6 years old, and a Golden Retriever named Brady, he's 3.”

— Alex Nedeljkovic, goaltender (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“My dog's name is Stewie, he's a little Morkie—it's a Maltese-Yorkie. He was supposed to be, like, 10 pounds, but he's more like 30. He lives with my mom.”

— Zach Ostapchuk, forward prospect (sanjosehockeynow.com)

“His name is Joy. It's just his name, he was born with this name, and we never changed it—it's actually a perfect name for him. He always brings joy into our life, and he's always fun.”

— Dmitry Orlov, defenseman (sanjosehockeynow.com)

The takeaway

The dogs of the San Jose Sharks showcase the players' softer sides, highlighting how they find joy and companionship in their furry friends amidst the demands of professional hockey. These stories remind us that even elite athletes have a love for animals and the comforts of home.