1998–99 San Jose Sharks season

The 1998–99 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' eighth season of operation in the National Hockey League (NHL). Under second-year head coach Darryl Sutter, the Sharks reached the playoffs for a second consecutive season. While the team won three fewer games than it had during the prior season, it became the first in franchise history to score more goals (196) than it allowed (191).

1998–99 San Jose Sharks
Division4th Pacific
Conference7th Western
1998–99 record31–33–18
Home record17–15–9
Road record14–18–9
Goals for196
Goals against191
Team information
General managerDean Lombardi
CoachDarryl Sutter
CaptainOwen Nolan
ArenaSan Jose Arena
Average attendance16,903
Minor league affiliate(s)Kentucky Thoroughblades
Richmond Renegades
Team leaders
GoalsJoe Murphy (25)
AssistsJeff Friesen (35)
PointsJeff Friesen (57)
Penalty minutesRonnie Stern (158)
Plus/minusOwen Nolan (+16)
WinsMike Vernon (16)
Goals against averageSteve Shields (2.22)

During the campaign, general manager Dean Lombardi continued to add to the Sharks' roster. During the 1998 preseason, both goaltender Steve Shields and All-Star defenseman Gary Suter were acquired from the Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks, respectively, in exchange for low-level draft picks and prospects. While neither played a major role during the 1998–99 season, both would make key contributions to the Sharks' success the following season. Indeed, Lombardi's most notable addition was that of veteran forward Vincent Damphousse. Damphousse, acquired in a midseason trade with the Montreal Canadiens, would experience immediate success in San Jose; he would ultimately remain with the Sharks until the conclusion of the 2003–04 season. The 1998–99 season also saw the continued development of several highly-touted prospects. Most notably, the campaign saw second-year forwards Patrick Marleau and Marco Sturm emerge as consistent scoring threats. Additionally, the season also saw the debut of promising young defenseman (and future NHL All-Star) Scott Hannan. These players, along with established forward Jeff Friesen and defenseman Mike Rathje, would drive much of the team's success over the following five years.

Despite their losing record, the Sharks reached the postseason for a second consecutive season. In the first round of the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Sharks were matched against the Northwest Division champion Colorado Avalanche. Due to the Columbine High School Massacre, the first two games of the series were played in San Jose;[1][2][3] the heavily favored Avalanche won both.[4][5] As had been the case one year prior, the Sharks won their next two games in Denver to even the series at two games apiece.[6][7][8] The Avalanche responded by routing the Sharks in Game Five to take a 3–2 series lead.[9] The Sharks managed to push the Avalanche to overtime in Game Six; a goal by Colorado rookie Milan Hejduk, however, spelled the end of the Sharks' season.[10] As of the 2017–18 NHL season, the 1998–99 San Jose Sharks (along with the 1998–99 Edmonton Oilers) are the last team to have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a losing record.

Off-season

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Forward Owen Nolan was named team captain.

Regular season

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The Sharks tied the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues for the fewest short-handed goals allowed, with 4.[11]

Final standings

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Pacific Division
R CR GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 1 Dallas Stars 82 51 19 12 236 168 114
2 4 Phoenix Coyotes 82 39 31 12 205 197 90
3 6 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim 82 35 34 13 215 206 83
4 7 San Jose Sharks 82 31 33 18 196 191 80
5 11 Los Angeles Kings 82 32 45 5 189 222 69

[12]

Note: CR = Conference rank; GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; Pts = Points
         Bolded teams qualified for the playoffs.

Western Conference[13]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 p – Dallas Stars PAC 82 51 19 12 236 168 114
2 y – Colorado Avalanche NW 82 44 28 10 239 205 98
3 y – Detroit Red Wings CEN 82 43 32 7 245 202 93
4 Phoenix Coyotes PAC 82 39 31 12 205 197 90
5 St. Louis Blues CEN 82 37 32 13 237 209 87
6 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim PAC 82 35 34 13 215 206 83
7 San Jose Sharks PAC 82 31 33 18 196 191 80
8 Edmonton Oilers NW 82 33 37 12 230 226 78
9 Calgary Flames NW 82 30 40 12 211 234 72
10 Chicago Blackhawks CEN 82 29 41 12 202 248 70
11 Los Angeles Kings PAC 82 32 45 5 189 222 69
12 Nashville Predators CEN 82 28 47 7 190 261 63
13 Vancouver Canucks NW 82 23 47 12 192 258 58

Divisions: CEN – Central, PAC – Pacific, NW – Northwest

bold – Qualified for playoffs; p – Won Presidents' Trophy; y – Won division


Schedule and results

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Regular season

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1998–99 regular season[14]
October: 1–6–2 (home: 1–3–0; road: 0–3–2)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
1 T October 9, 1998 3–3 OT @ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 0–0–1 Recap
2 L October 10, 1998 3–5 Calgary Flames (1998–99) 0–1–1 Recap
3 L October 18, 1998 0–3 Boston Bruins (1998–99) 0–2–1 Recap
4 L October 20, 1998 1–3 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 0–3–1 Recap
5 T October 22, 1998 2–2 OT @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 0–3–2 Recap
6 L October 24, 1998 1–2 @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 0–4–2 Recap
7 L October 28, 1998 2–4 Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 0–5–2 Recap
8 L October 29, 1998 2–4 @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 0–6–2 Recap
9 W October 31, 1998 6–1 Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 1–6–2 Recap
November: 4–5–3 (home: 3–2–2; road: 1–3–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
10 W November 4, 1998 4–0 Dallas Stars (1998–99) 2–6–2 Recap
11 T November 6, 1998 2–2 OT @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 2–6–3 Recap
12 T November 7, 1998 2–2 OT St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 2–6–4 Recap
13 L November 10, 1998 2–4 Nashville Predators (1998–99) 2–7–4 Recap
14 W November 12, 1998 3–0 Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 3–7–4 Recap
15 W November 18, 1998 5–4 Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 4–7–4 Recap
16 L November 20, 1998 1–2 OT Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 4–8–4 Recap
17 T November 21, 1998 2–2 OT New York Rangers (1998–99) 4–8–5 Recap
18 L November 23, 1998 2–3 @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 4–9–5 Recap
19 L November 25, 1998 0–3 @ Carolina Hurricanes (1998–99) 4–10–5 Recap
20 W November 27, 1998 4–2 @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 5–10–5 Recap
21 L November 29, 1998 1–4 @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 5–11–5 Recap
December: 5–5–3 (home: 4–3–2; road: 1–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
22 L December 2, 1998 0–3 Dallas Stars (1998–99) 5–12–5 Recap
23 T December 4, 1998 2–2 OT Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 5–12–6 Recap
24 L December 6, 1998 1–2 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 5–13–6 Recap
25 T December 9, 1998 3–3 OT @ Dallas Stars (1998–99) 5–13–7 Recap
26 L December 10, 1998 1–2 @ Nashville Predators (1998–99) 5–14–7 Recap
27 W December 12, 1998 2–1 Washington Capitals (1998–99) 6–14–7 Recap
28 L December 15, 1998 0–1 New York Islanders (1998–99) 6–15–7 Recap
29 W December 17, 1998 3–1 Nashville Predators (1998–99) 7–15–7 Recap
30 W December 19, 1998 2–1 Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 8–15–7 Recap
31 W December 23, 1998 5–3 @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 9–15–7 Recap
32 W December 26, 1998 2–0 Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 10–15–7 Recap
33 T December 28, 1998 1–1 OT Philadelphia Flyers (1998–99) 10–15–8 Recap
34 L December 30, 1998 1–5 @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 10–16–8 Recap
January: 5–4–4 (home: 3–2–3; road: 2–2–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
35 W January 2, 1999 4–3 OT @ New York Islanders (1998–99) 11–16–8 Recap
36 L January 4, 1999 3–4 @ New York Rangers (1998–99) 11–17–8 Recap
37 T January 5, 1999 3–3 OT @ New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 11–17–9 Recap
38 W January 7, 1999 4–3 @ Nashville Predators (1998–99) 12–17–9 Recap
39 T January 9, 1999 2–2 OT Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 12–17–10 Recap
40 W January 11, 1999 4–0 Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 13–17–10 Recap
41 L January 13, 1999 1–2 Dallas Stars (1998–99) 13–18–10 Recap
42 W January 15, 1999 3–2 Pittsburgh Penguins (1998–99) 14–18–10 Recap
43 T January 16, 1999 3–3 OT Calgary Flames (1998–99) 14–18–11 Recap
44 W January 18, 1999 3–1 New Jersey Devils (1998–99) 15–18–11 Recap
45 T January 21, 1999 3–3 OT Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 15–18–12 Recap
46 L January 26, 1999 0–3 St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 15–19–12 Recap
47 L January 30, 1999 0–5 @ Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 15–20–12 Recap
February: 5–7–2 (home: 1–1–1; road: 4–6–1)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
48 W February 1, 1999 5–1 Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 16–20–12 Recap
49 L February 4, 1999 1–3 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 16–21–12 Recap
50 L February 6, 1999 0–2 @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 16–22–12 Recap
51 W February 8, 1999 3–0 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 17–22–12 Recap
52 W February 10, 1999 5–2 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 18–22–12 Recap
53 W February 11, 1999 5–1 @ St. Louis Blues (1998–99) 19–22–12 Recap
54 W February 13, 1999 3–1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning (1998–99) 20–22–12 Recap
55 T February 15, 1999 2–2 OT @ Florida Panthers (1998–99) 20–22–13 Recap
56 L February 17, 1999 1–3 @ Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 20–23–13 Recap
57 L February 19, 1999 2–4 @ Buffalo Sabres (1998–99) 20–24–13 Recap
58 L February 20, 1999 1–3 @ Washington Capitals (1998–99) 20–25–13 Recap
59 T February 24, 1999 1–1 OT Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 20–25–14 Recap
60 L February 26, 1999 1–3 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 20–26–14 Recap
61 L February 27, 1999 1–4 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 20–27–14 Recap
March: 7–3–3 (home: 4–2–0; road: 3–1–3)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
62 W March 1, 1999 2–1 @ Calgary Flames (1998–99) 21–27–14 Recap
63 W March 3, 1999 4–3 @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 22–27–14 Recap
64 L March 6, 1999 0–4 Chicago Blackhawks (1998–99) 22–28–14 Recap
65 W March 9, 1999 4–2 Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 23–28–14 Recap
66 W March 12, 1999 2–0 Detroit Red Wings (1998–99) 24–28–14 Recap
67 W March 13, 1999 3–2 Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 25–28–14 Recap
68 W March 17, 1999 4–2 Florida Panthers (1998–99) 26–28–14 Recap
69 T March 20, 1999 2–2 OT @ Boston Bruins (1998–99) 26–28–15 Recap
70 T March 22, 1999 1–1 OT @ Montreal Canadiens (1998–99) 26–28–16 Recap
71 W March 24, 1999 8–5 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1998–99) 27–28–16 Recap
72 T March 26, 1999 1–1 OT @ Ottawa Senators (1998–99) 27–28–17 Recap
73 L March 28, 1999 2–5 @ Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 27–29–17 Recap
74 L March 31, 1999 2–3 Colorado Avalanche (1998–99) 27–30–17 Recap
April: 4–3–1 (home: 1–2–1; road: 3–1–0)
Game Result Date Score Opponent Record Recap
75 W April 2, 1999 7–0 @ Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 28–30–17 Recap
76 W April 3, 1999 5–2 Vancouver Canucks (1998–99) 29–30–17 Recap
77 W April 6, 1999 1–0 @ Phoenix Coyotes (1998–99) 30–30–17 Recap
78 L April 8, 1999 2–3 @ Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 30–31–17 Recap
79 W April 9, 1999 4–1 @ Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 31–31–17 Recap
80 L April 12, 1999 4–5 OT Edmonton Oilers (1998–99) 31–32–17 Recap
81 L April 16, 1999 0–2 Los Angeles Kings (1998–99) 31–33–17 Recap
82 T April 17, 1999 3–3 OT Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (1998–99) 31–33–18 Recap
Legend:

  Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

Playoffs

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1999 Stanley Cup playoffs[14]
Western Conference Quarterfinals vs. (2) Colorado Avalanche: Avalanche win 4–2
Game Result Date Score Opponent Series Recap
1 L April 24, 1999 1–3 @ Colorado Avalanche Avalanche lead 1–0 Recap
2 L April 26, 1999 1–2 OT @ Colorado Avalanche Avalanche lead 2–0 Recap
3 W April 28, 1999 4–2 Colorado Avalanche Avalanche lead 2–1 Recap
4 W April 30, 1999 7–3 Colorado Avalanche Series tied 2–2 Recap
5 L May 1, 1999 2–6 @ Colorado Avalanche Avalanche lead 3–2 Recap
6 L May 3, 1999 2–3 OT Colorado Avalanche Avalanche win 4–2 Recap
Legend:

  Win   Loss

Player statistics

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Scoring

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  • Position abbreviations: C = Center; D = Defense; G = Goaltender; LW = Left wing; RW = Right wing
  • † = Joined team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, signing) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
  • ‡ = Left team via a transaction (e.g., trade, waivers, release) during the season. Stats reflect time with the Sharks only.
No. Player Pos Regular season Playoffs
GP G A Pts +/- PIM GP G A Pts +/- PIM
39 Jeff Friesen LW 78 22 35 57 3 42 6 2 2 4 −1 14
17 Joe Murphy RW 76 25 23 48 10 73 6 0 3 3 0 4
14 Patrick Marleau C 81 21 24 45 10 24 6 2 1 3 −1 4
11 Owen Nolan RW 78 19 26 45 16 129 6 1 1 2 0 6
18 Mike Ricci C 82 13 26 39 1 68 6 2 3 5 1 10
19 Marco Sturm LW 78 16 22 38 7 52 6 2 2 4 1 4
2 Bill Houlder D 76 9 23 32 8 40 6 3 0 3 2 4
15 Alexander Korolyuk LW 55 12 18 30 3 26 6 1 3 4 −3 2
37 Stephane Matteau LW 68 8 15 23 2 73 5 0 0 0 −3 6
5 Jeff Norton D 69 4 18 22 2 42 6 0 7 7 5 10
22 Ron Stern RW 78 7 9 16 −3 158 6 0 0 0 −1 6
26 Dave Lowry LW 61 6 9 15 −5 24 1 0 0 0 0 0
40 Mike Rathje D 82 5 9 14 15 36 6 0 0 0 −6 4
32 Murray Craven LW 43 4 10 14 −3 18
25 Vincent Damphousse C 12 7 6 13 3 4 6 3 2 5 1 6
10 Marcus Ragnarsson D 74 0 13 13 7 66 6 0 1 1 −4 6
21 Tony Granato RW 35 6 6 12 4 54 6 1 1 2 −1 2
3 Bob Rouse D 70 0 11 11 0 44 6 0 0 0 −1 6
12 Ron Sutter C 59 3 6 9 −8 40 6 0 0 0 −1 4
27 Bryan Marchment D 59 2 6 8 −7 101 6 0 0 0 0 4
4 Andrei Zyuzin D 25 3 1 4 5 38
36 Steve Guolla C 14 2 2 4 3 6
42 Andy Sutton D 31 0 3 3 −4 65
8 Jarrod Skalde C 17 1 1 2 −6 4
6 Scott Hannan D 5 0 2 2 0 6
9 Bernie Nicholls C 10 0 2 2 −4 4
33 Brantt Myhres RW 30 1 0 1 −2 116
13 Jamie Baker C 1 0 1 1 1 0
7 Shawn Burr LW 18 0 1 1 −3 29
16 Alex Hicks LW 4 0 1 1 −1 4
31 Steve Shields G 37 0 1 1 6 1 0 0 0 0
25 Mike Craig RW 1 0 0 0 −1 0
30 Sean Gauthier G 1 0 0 0 0
23 Shawn Heins D 5 0 0 0 0 13
20 Gary Suter D 1 0 0 0 0 0
29 Mike Vernon G 49 0 0 0 8 5 0 1 1 0

Goaltending

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No. Player Regular season Playoffs
GP W L T SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI GP W L SA GA GAA SV% SO TOI
29 Mike Vernon 49 16 22 10 1200 107 2.27 .911 4 2831 5 2 3 172 13 2.43 .924 0 321
31 Steve Shields 37 15 11 8 1011 80 2.22 .921 4 2162 1 0 1 36 6 6.00 .833 0 60
30 Sean Gauthier 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 1.000 0 3

Awards and records

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Awards

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Type Award/honor Recipient Ref
League
(in-season)
NHL All-Star Game selection Marco Sturm [15]
NHL Player of the Week Mike Vernon (February 15) [16]
Steve Shields (March 15) [17]
Team Sharks Player of the Year Steve Shields [18]
Mike Vernon
Sharks Rookie of the Year Alexander Korolyuk [18]

Milestones

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Milestone Player Date Ref
First game Scott Hannan October 9, 1998 [19]
Andy Sutton October 20, 1998
Shawn Heins February 19, 1999
Sean Gauthier March 6, 1999
1,000th game played Bob Rouse January 2, 1999 [20]
Vincent Damphousse April 6, 1999 [20]

Transactions

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Draft picks

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San Jose's draft picks at the 1998 NHL Entry Draft held at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York.[21]

Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club team
1 3 Brad Stuart Defense   Canada Regina Pats
2 29 Jonathan Cheechoo Right Wing   Canada Belleville Bulls
3 65 Eric Laplante Left Wing   Canada Halifax Mooseheads
4 98 Rob Davison Defense   Canada North Bay Centennials
4 104 Miroslav Zalesak Right Wing   Slovakia HC Plastika Nitra
5 127 Brandon Coalter Left Wing   Canada Oshawa Generals
5 145 Mikael Samuelsson Right Wing   Sweden Sodertalje SK
7 185 Robert Mulick Defense   Canada Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
8 212 Jim Fahey Defense   Canada Catholic Memorial H.S.

See also

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Notes

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References

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  • "San Jose Sharks 1998-99 roster and scoring statistics at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  • "1998-99 San Jose Sharks Roster, Stats, Injuries, Scores, Results, Shootouts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  • Dinger, Ralph, ed. (2011). The National Hockey League Official Guide & Record Book 2012. Toronto: Dan Diamond & Associates. ISBN 978-1-894801-22-5.
  1. ^ "HOCKEY; In Denver, Games Are Called Off". The New York Times. The Associated Press. April 22, 1999. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  2. ^ Frei, Terry (April 20, 2010). "Columbine remembered by Avs, Sharks before playoff game". Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  3. ^ "Avalanche Postpones Two Playoff Games". Los Angeles Times. April 22, 1999. Retrieved June 2, 2021.
  4. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: Avalanche Buries Sharks, 3-1". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: Avalanche Take 2-0 Series Lead With OT Win". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Press, The Associated (April 29, 1999). "N.H.L. ROUNDUP; Ricci Leads Sharks In First Game in Denver". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  7. ^ Elliott, Helene (April 27, 1999). "Game Four, Lesson One: Learn From This, Ducks". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  8. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: Sharks Down Avalanche, Even Series". www.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (May 2, 1999). "Fleury, Avalanche Come Alive". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  10. ^ Archives, L. A. Times (May 4, 1999). "Avalanche Beats Sharks to Advance". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  11. ^ "1998-99 NHL Summary".
  12. ^ Dinger 2011, p. 155.
  13. ^ "1998-1999 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  14. ^ a b "1998-99 San Jose Sharks Schedule". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
  15. ^ "1999 NHL All-Star Game Rosters". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  16. ^ "Vernon Named Player of the Week". NHL.com. February 15, 1999. Archived from the original on October 6, 1999. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  17. ^ "Shields Named NHL Player of the Week". NHL.com. March 15, 1999. Archived from the original on October 22, 1999. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  18. ^ a b 2014–15 San Jose Sharks Media Guide, p.255–58
  19. ^ "1998-99 NHL Debuts". Hockey-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Pollak, David (October 20, 2011). "Players who reached the 1,000th-game mark as San Jose Sharks". East Bay Times. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "1998 NHL Entry Draft Picks at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved June 28, 2023.