This edition of the Collector's Corner was written by shark enthusiast, Anthony Carnesecca

San Jose is Sharks Territory. These signs are seen plastered across buildings, houses, light posts, and almost every restaurant in the downtown area. As a child born in the early 1990’s, it’s absolutely true. The 10th largest city in the United States that people forget about it is proud of its teal team. I was born into the madness as the frenzy grew. I remember watching Owen Nolan carry the team, Patrick Marleau grow into a constant scorer, Joe Thornton lead the league in scoring, Burns scorch the ice with his shot, and the Sharks almost make it all the way in 2016.

I was nine years old at a Sharks game in the formerly named Compaq Center and I begged my mom to buy me a Sharks jersey. She didn’t really think it was worth the money, but she conceded because I gave a big old grin and vowed to do every household chore for the next few months. I remember rocking that black Sharks practice jersey for the next five years, but then came high school.

When I started playing hockey in high school and became too cool to care, I told my mom I didn’t need that jersey anymore. I gave it to my younger neighbor because I didn’t think I would ever want it or care about it again. Boy, was I wrong. I didn’t know that what was once a small purchase would become a true passion.

Once college rolled around and I got to control my own spending, I realized how much I loved having cool hockey jerseys. I started small with a few replica jerseys of the Sharks greats. It started with a Teal Marleau and a Black Thornton because what San Jose Sharks fan wouldn’t want those two jerseys in their closet?

What started with two replica jerseys quickly grew to now almost forty jerseys. I have homes, aways, alternates, and special edition jerseys. What started as a small section of my closet has become a growing obsession to have Sharks hockey jerseys.

Let me tell you a little bit more about a few of my favorite jerseys.

My 1997 NHL All Star Western Conference Owen Nolan jersey is the holy grail of my collection. I don’t remember a lot of my childhood, but I remember him calling his shot. I remember sitting there watching him point to his corner and snipe the puck to set off a rainstorm of hats in San Jose for the hometown hero who scored three.

My black Owen Nolan jersey with the Captain’s patch represents my childhood hero. I vividly remember getting in the car after school when my mom told me that he was traded to Toronto and swearing off ever rooting for the team again. I could never root against that goatee and the player who represented everything I loved about the San Jose Sharks.

My two teal Patrick Marleau jerseys with the Captain’s patch represent Mr. San Jose Shark. They show the greatest Sharks draft pick of all time as he carried this team through the playoffs with gut-filled performances.

My 25th anniversary teal Joe Pavelski jersey represents my current favorite player on the roster in the greatest season in franchise history. That season was representative of the Sharks history in that patch, present in their amazing performance, and future as the captain of this franchise.

My 100th anniversary black Brent Burns jersey comes from his Norris Trophy winning season. Burns carried the team both defensively and offensively as one of the leading scorers and top line defenseman who was tasked with keeping the opponents top scorers off the board.

My two Joe Pavelski Team USA jerseys. What’s better than your favorite player representing your country in international hockey? Your favorite player being the captain of your country’s international hockey team. These jerseys are my salute to San Jose’s Captain America.

Finally, a little bit of non-Sharks love. When I was child playing backyard hockey, I always played with Mike Modano, even though he played for a rival in the Dallas Stars. I could never bring myself to purchase a Dallas Stars jersey, but I was able to purchase a Team USA jersey from the Salt Lake City games in 2002.

Here are some other jerseys in my collection, as well.

Whether your collection is two or eighty, be proud of your jerseys and show them off. Go Sharks!

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