Kiefer Sherwood is stepping into the San Jose Sharks locker room for the first time - and already, he’s making an impression.
From the jump, his gritty, high-energy style has caught the attention of teammates and coaches alike. This is a player who doesn’t shy away from the tough areas of the ice, and that’s exactly what the Sharks are looking for as they continue to shape their identity.
“He’s a dawg. Just the way he competes, the way he battles,” rookie standout Macklin Celebrini said.
“He’s hard to play against, and that’s something I respected when I went up against him. Anytime you’re matched up with him, it’s going to be a grind.
I’m happy he’s on our side now.”
That mutual respect runs both ways. Sherwood, without being prompted, praised Celebrini’s game - a sign that he’s not just bringing edge, but also chemistry.
Goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, who knows Sherwood well from their time together with the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL, didn’t hold back in describing what it’s like to face him.
“He’s a rat - in the best way,” Askarov said, likening Sherwood’s style to Florida Panthers agitator Brad Marchand. “I hate playing against him. He’s one of the worst guys to go up against, but probably one of the best to have on your team.”
That’s the kind of edge the Sharks are welcoming with open arms.
Vincent Desharnais, another new face in San Jose with ties to Sherwood, reached out right away.
“I texted him to welcome him, and the first thing he said was, ‘I can’t wait to stir some stuff up on the ice to start,’” Desharnais shared. “That’s going to fit right in here.”
Sherwood is embracing the role. He knows exactly what he brings - and what the Sharks need.
“I want to make it hard to play against us,” Sherwood said. “I want to complement the identity the team is building. Stir things up when needed, but also be a glue guy - bring the energy, help guys get into the fight.”
That mindset is music to the ears of head coach Ryan Warsofsky, who’s been clear about the kind of edge he wants from his group.
“I think I heard Rick Bowness say, ‘You need nasty.’ And he’s right,” Warsofsky said.
“The teams that win the Stanley Cup? They play with nasty.
They play with jam. And we need more guys like that.
Guys who can drag the rest of the team into the fight. Sherwood brings that.”
The only thing holding Sherwood back right now is a current injury. He’s not in the lineup just yet, but the hope is that he’ll be ready to go before the Olympic break - potentially as soon as early February.
“That’s what I’m pushing for,” Sherwood said. “I don’t know the exact date, but I’m trying to make progress every day. Hopefully, at some point on the road trip, I’ll be good to go.”
Off the ice, Sherwood already has a connection to Northern California. He and his wife, Ariel, got married in Carmel this past July - a full-circle moment now that he’s playing in San Jose. And with their first child due in April, this next chapter is about more than just hockey.
“It’s funny how things work out,” he said. “We got married out here, and now we’re back.
I’m excited to explore San Jose more - I’ve played out west my whole career, so I’ve been through here, but now I’m looking forward to checking out the neighborhoods, the suburbs. Even yesterday, I was just driving around trying to get a feel for everything.
It’s beautiful.”
While there are reports that Sherwood and the Sharks remain apart on contract negotiations - he's a pending unrestricted free agent - he certainly sounds like a player who’s open to sticking around.
“There’s so many great things about Northern Cali and what it has to offer,” he said. “And the players - there are some special guys brewing here.
It’s an exciting time to be part of that. They’re building something great, and I’m just excited to get to know everyone and ruffle some feathers when I can.”
In other words: Sherwood’s ready to bring the jam.