The San Jose Sharks and the Sharks Foundation hosted the seventh annual Unified Special Olympics Northern California Floor Hockey Game, presented by Kaiser Permanente, on January 24 at Santa Clara High School.
Special Olympics Northern California athletes played alongside San Jose Sharks players in a scrimmage focused on inclusion and teamwork. The event replicated the excitement of a regular Sharks game, featuring elements such as the goal horn, in-arena host Emily Harlan, live commentary from Sharks broadcasters Randy Hahn, Dan Rusanowsky, and Drew Remenda, as well as appearances from S.J. Sharkie and the Coca-Cola Tank Patrol. An inflatable Shark Head was used for athlete introductions.
Sharks players Mario Ferraro, Barclay Goodrow, Alexander Wennberg, William Eklund, Adam Gaudette, and former Shark Vincent Iorio participated in the event with Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky. This occasion continued to strengthen the partnership between the Sharks organization and Special Olympics Northern California.
Stephanie Dubin Combo, Community Relations Manager for the Sharks Foundation said: “This event is an annual tradition that is beloved by the Sharks organization. Our players, coaches, and staff genuinely enjoy spending their Saturday with these amazing athletes and engaging in a friendly, unified competition. You’ll notice many of the players have come to the event several years in a row — that is something really special about this event. And this year we were able to include athletes all the way from Tuolumne County to expand the reach of the event.”
In December 2025, Special Olympics Northern California received a $25,000 Community Assist Grant from the Sharks Foundation and Kaiser Permanente during its regional tournament in Pleasanton. The grant will support operational costs for next year’s floor hockey program and benefit more than 400 athletes and coaches throughout Northern California. At January’s game, it was announced that this support would extend through 2027.
Kevin Brown, Executive Director of the Sharks Foundation and Head of Community Impact for Sharks Sports & Entertainment stated: “This investment through the Sharks Foundation’s Community Assist Grant, in partnership with Kaiser Permanente, reflects our shared commitment to expanding inclusive access to sport. The support will help sustain Special Olympics Northern California’s floor hockey program for more than 400 athletes and coaches, creating opportunities for confidence, connection, and wellness through the game. We are proud to extend this partnership through 2027 and continue building spaces where everyone can experience the joy of hockey.”
The scrimmage reflected Special Olympics’ mission by bringing together people with and without intellectual disabilities for unified competition. Athletes took part after reciting their Athlete Oath.
Sharks alternate captain Alexander Wennberg commented: “It’s the best event ever…it’s so much fun, so much excitement.” During a moment at this year’s event he invited participating athletes as guests—along with his wife Felicia—to upcoming home games at SAP Center. They plan to host families in suites across four remaining home games this season.
More than 150 employees from Kaiser Permanente joined Team Teal staff members at Santa Clara High School to show their support during Saturday’s scrimmage.
The ongoing series of events underscores how both organizations use hockey as a means to promote community engagement across Bay Area communities.
