It's tough to say, but Joe Pavelski is no longer a Shark.
After 13 years of wearing the teal and black, the 2013-14 All-Star is heading to Dallas to play for the Stars on a three-year deal.
He spent his entire career with San Jose and wrote a heartfelt note on Kompany39's website:
Thank you, San Jose!
I'll be honest, when I was drafted by the Sharks in 2003, I didn't know a thing about San Jose. What I did know was that to be successful, there was a lot of work ahead of me. Reflecting back after playing 13 seasons, I really got to know San Jose as a city, and the Sharks organization was the perfect place to learn and grow as a professional.
Being a Shark is all I've known. It's more than just wearing the uniform – it's all the amazing fans we've met and the friendships we've made which we will cherish for the rest of our lives. The way you welcomed me to your city and embraced me meant so much. I never took for granted what it meant to skate through that Shark Head at every home game. Celebrating all those big goals and wins with my teammates will always be memorable, and being able to share it with all the great fans in the Bay Area was special.
The number of people to thank is countless, but I want to highlight all of the past and present owners, Doug Wilson, all the coaches, the training and equipment staffs, the front office, the fans and, most importantly, all of my teammates. To be successful in the NHL, you cannot do it alone, and I was lucky enough to be around such an amazing group of people that pushed each other to be better every single day. Being able to learn from and compete with captains like Patrick Marleau, Rob Blake and Joe Thornton was invaluable and has made me a better person. Playing in San Jose, you're surrounded by such a team-oriented group, and it made our time in San Jose truly unforgettable.
My wife Sarah reminded me that we moved here with a puppy and a U-Haul. Now we're leaving with a baby boy who's not such a baby anymore, a gray-faced four-legged friend and a few more wrinkles around our eyes from all the laughs we've shared along the way. You welcomed us into your city – into your lives – and for that we thank you. San Jose will always be a place close to our hearts and our time with you has been simply incredible!
Forever grateful.
Joe #8
The 34-year-old was honored locally with a full-page ad in The Mercury News. He will be honored once again when the Sharks host the Stars at SAP Center on Jan. 11, one of three times the teams meet up during next season.
Until then, it appears Pavelski appeared to be grateful for his time in San Jose ... a place that he, his wife Sarah, and their family will hold close to their hearts.
