Joe Pavelski
Known as one of the most consistent and clutch American players in NHL history, Joe Pavelski played in 1,332 NHL regular-season games with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars over 18 seasons.
Pavelski spent two seasons competing for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, leading the team to the 2004 Clark Cup and earning the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award.
After a stellar two-year stint at the University of Wisconsin that included helping the Badgers to the 2006 NCAA title, he joined the San Jose Sharks organization after being drafted 205th overall in the 2003 NHL Draft. Pavelski first suited up for the club’s AHL affiliate before being quickly called up to the NHL ranks, recording 28 points in 43 games during his rookie campaign.
The Plover, Wisconsin, native played 963 games for the Sharks, finishing his tenure with the team third all-time in points (761) and second all-time in goals (355). He also led San Jose to its first-ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Final in 2015-16 during his first season as the club’s captain, recording 23 points (14 goals, 9 assists) in 24 playoff contests.
Pavelski moved to play for the Dallas Stars in 2019-20 and made an immediate impact, helping Dallas to the Stanley Cup Final and contributing 13 goals and nine assists in 27 playoff games. He continued to serve as a key contributor for the Stars for the next four seasons, leading the team to three more playoff appearances along the way.
Pavelski closed his NHL career with 1,068 points in 1,332 regular-season games, including 476 goals and 592 assists. His teams reached the playoffs in 16 of his 18 NHL seasons and the forward played in 201 playoff contests with 143 points (74 goals, 69 assists). His 74 playoff goals are the most all-time by an American-born player.
A two-time Olympian, Pavelski helped the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and was also a member of Team USA for the 2014 Games. He served as captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and skated for Team USA at the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Championship.