The 2024–25 season saw the Barracuda reach heights they had only experienced once before in their 10-year history. The club returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2021—when only the Pacific Division held a postseason due to COVID—and it marked their first appearance in the Calder Cup Playoffs since 2019. Their 2-0 opening-round sweep of the Ontario Reign was not only the team’s first playoff series win since 2017, but also their first playoff sweep ever.

The Barracuda's 81 points and .563 winning percentage were the third-best in franchise history, and their best since 2018–19. The team’s 21 home wins and .639 home winning percentage were also their best since 2019.

The success wasn’t limited to the ice. The team set a franchise record with 10 sellouts at Tech CU Arena during the 2024–25 season.

Eighteen different players split time between the Sharks and Barracuda, including top prospects Yaroslav Askarov (G), Collin Graf (F), and Luca Cagnoni (D). The Barracuda used 45 players throughout the season, including five goalies, 14 defensemen, and 26 forwards.

Prospects Quentin Musty and Igor Chernyshov made their AHL debuts late in the season, each appearing in one Calder Cup Playoff game.

The Barracuda finished the regular season with the AHL’s third-best offense, averaging 3.39 goals per game. Their 244 total goals were the most in a single season in team history. They also led the AHL in power-play percentage (24%), setting a franchise record with 69 power-play goals. Danil Gushchin led the league with 14 power-play goals, while Andrew Poturalski finished second with 13. Rookie Luca Cagnoni led the league in power-play points (34) and ranked second in power-play assists (23). The team also scored 10 shorthanded goals—their most since 2021–22 and the second-most in team history. From March 2 to March 26, the Barracuda scored power-play goals in a franchise-record 10 consecutive games and in 13 of 14 overall.

Fourteen different skaters reached double-digit goals—another franchise record—including Poturalski (30) and Gushchin (28), who now rank first and second for most goals in a single season by a Barracuda player.

Player Highlights

Hot Pot: In his first season with the Barracuda, veteran forward Andrew Poturalski put together the best statistical campaign in franchise history. He was named the AHL’s 2024–25 Les Cunningham Award winner as league MVP. Poturalski became just the third player in AHL history to lead the league in scoring three separate times, joining Hall of Famers Bill Sweeney (1960–63) and Peter White (1994–98). He previously led the league in 2020–21 and 2021–22. This season, he recorded a league-best 73 points (30 goals, 43 assists) in just 59 games. He also appeared in three NHL games with the Sharks, recording one assist. His 30 goals and 72 points are both single-season franchise records. He missed the final nine regular season games and the entire playoffs due to a lower-body injury.

Do the Cagn Cagn: Twenty-year-old defenseman Luca Cagnoni finished just three points shy of the AHL’s defenseman scoring title, tallying 52 points in 64 games. The rookie led all skaters in power-play points (34), ranked second in power-play assists (23), and tied for fourth in power-play goals (11). Among defensemen, he ranked third in both points and goals (16), and tied for fifth in assists (36). He was named to the AHL’s All-Rookie Team and set franchise records for goals and power-play goals by a defenseman. Cagnoni also played six games with the Sharks, recording two assists.

Dan the Man: The 2024–25 season was a breakout year for third-year pro Danil Gushchin, who posted career highs in goals (28), power-play goals (14), shots (218), and shooting percentage. From March 7 to 28, he recorded points in nine straight games—the second-longest streak in team history—and scored in five straight games (March 16–26), tying John McCarthy’s franchise record. Gushchin is now the Barracuda’s all-time leader in points (150), goals (70), and assists (80). He missed the first round of the playoffs due to illness but made his Calder Cup debut on May 2, scoring an overtime winner against Colorado on May 4—the team’s only second-round victory.

El Cap: In his first season under contract with the Sharks, Jimmy Schuldt wore the “C” for the first time in his six-year pro career and made an immediate impact. He played eight NHL games and led the Barracuda in plus-minus (+22), ranking top-10 league-wide. Schuldt was named the team’s Most Inspirational Player.

White Balance: Despite missing the final playoff game due to injury, Colin White led the team in postseason points (6), assists (5), and plus-minus (+3). After signing a two-way deal in January, he played three NHL games. He set AHL career highs in games played (48) and goals (12), and took over the top-line center role late in the season.

Fil the Thrill: In his first North American season, Filip Bystedt (Sharks 2022 first-rounder) posted 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 50 games. He co-led the team in playoff goals (3) and led in power-play tallies.

Sabs Sizzling: Veteran Scott Sabourin scored 10+ goals (10) for a third straight year and hit 25 points for the fourth time in his career. He appeared in his 500th AHL game on Jan. 31 and skated in one NHL game. Sabourin recorded 111 PIMs and dropped the gloves seven times.

Full Deck: Second-year forward Ethan Cardwell set career highs in points (48), assists (37), and shots (195). He made his NHL debut on Oct. 31 and scored his first NHL goal five days later.

Bar Graf: Rookie Collin Graf split time between the Sharks and Barracuda, posting 11 points in 33 NHL games and 35 points (8G, 27A) in 40 AHL games. He added five points (2G, 3A) in six playoff games, including a series-clinching goal vs. Ontario.

Riled Regenda: After being acquired from Anaheim in January, Pavol Regenda recorded 25 points in 36 games with the Barracuda, including seven power-play goals. He co-led the team in playoff goals (3).

Yes Yaro: Top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov had a strong first year in Teal, going 11-9-2 with a 2.45 GAA, .923 SV%, and four shutouts. He went 3-2 in the playoffs with a 1.68 GAA and .935 SV%, including one shutout. Askarov played 13 NHL games and became the first Barracuda goalie to record shutouts in his first two starts.

Gabe Going: Rookie Gabe Carriere impressed in 22 games with the Barracuda and was signed to an NHL deal on Mar. 7—the same night he posted a 35-save shutout. He also went 14-9-2 in 22 ECHL games with Wichita, earning three shutouts and a .922 SV%.

Unsung Heroes: Depth forwards Lucas Vanroboys, Anthony Vincent, and Donovan Houle combined for 31 goals and 59 points, almost exclusively at even strength or shorthanded. Vincent earned the team's Hard Hat Award for the second straight season, setting career highs in nearly every statistical category.

Bords Boiling: Third-year pro Thomas Bordeleau set career highs in assists (24) and PIMs (39), and matched his career high in game-winning goals (4). He skated in one NHL game on April 13 but suffered an upper-body injury that kept him out of the playoffs.