San Jose Sharks General Manager Mike Grier announced Thursday that the club has signed defenseman Eric Pohlkamp to a two-year, entry-level contract.
The deal caps off a historic week for the 22-year-old Brainerd, Minnesota native, who helped lead the University of Denver Pioneers to the 2026 NCAA National Championship just last Saturday with a -2-1 victory over Wisconsin.
It's official. 🔏 pic.twitter.com/ofPZwqmR7l
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 16, 2026
Pohlkamp led the Pioneers in goals (18) and points (39), marking the second straight season where he hit the 35-point mark. He led all NCAA defensemen in scoring, finishing tied for 24th in the nation among all skaters. He was a Hat Trick Finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, but ended up losing out to Minnesota Duluth sophomore and Detroit Red Wings prospect Max Plante. Pohlkamp finishes his college career with 40 goals and 58 assists for 98 points in 119 games.
Selected by San Jose in the fifth round (132nd overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft, Pohlkamp has seen his stock skyrocket. Just five days ago, the Sharks officially named him the 2025-26 Sharks Prospect of the Year, joining a prestigious list of winners that includes Sam Dickinson and Will Smith.