Ryan Reaves Leaves Lasting Impact in Sharks Locker Room

Initially, the post-win locker room trophy succumbed to a delay in shipping. In the meantime, regular random items like a tissue box, a hammer and cleaning spray were used as replacements as a joke given to the player of the game. Finally, on Nov. 18, 2025, the Sharks were able to start their new tradition, giving the player of the game a shark tooth necklace in team colors. Macklin Celebrini christened the necklace after an overtime winning goal cemented his second hat trick of the season, defeating the Utah Mammoth 3-2 in San Jose. 

“Reavo told me we’re starting a tradition with our team. Shirts off, and you have to wear the necklace because you got it for the [player of the game]. I thought it was a good idea, so we’re starting a tradition,” Celebrini told the media following the game (from ‘Sharks stock report: Macklin Celebrini, Yaroslav Askarov, Will Smith are excelling,’ The Athletic, 11/20/25).

“We had nothing, and I wanted to get something that could last. Whether we use it next year or not, [I wanted] something that could stand the test of time,” Reaves said of the Sharks’ now iconic victory celebration. 

Character

Reaves’ character got him in the door. The coaching staff intentionally put his locker next to Celebrini to help the young star come out of his shell, and soon the rest of the roster followed. He was a direct catalyst for why Sharks hockey felt fun for a change. Even though they didn’t make the playoffs, Reaves gave the team a boost with his infectious personality. He gave them a jolt, reminding the room that hockey is supposed to be played with joy. His charm endeared him to his teammates in San Jose, as it has in the six other stops he made along the way in his career. 

On March 21, 2026, Reaves exited a game against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period after injuring his finger. That would be his last NHL game, just 38 shy of 1,000. Teammate Barclay Goodrow was brought to tears after the game knowing Reaves likely wouldn’t get his silver stick and that his career was over. 

“He’s an unbelievable teammate. Sorry, guys. He’s a guy that brings it all every night. Great, great friend. He’s the best guy. Even when you know he’s not playing, he’s there for everyone. He works his butt off every day. I think everyone in the room can learn a lot from a guy like that,” Goodrow said. 

Reaves was selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round of the 2005 Draft. He totaled 66 goals and 140 points in 962 games for the Blues, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Toronto Maple Leafs and Sharks. He recorded nine points in 113 career playoff games.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pound enforcer found a way to stick around despite an evolving NHL that skewed farther away from his game, resembling a more finesse-based game built on speed and skill. When he was in the lineup, there were repercussions for being reckless and too physical towards any of his teammates. One of the best fighters of his era, when No. 75 was in the lineup, players had to think about the consequences of their actions before taking liberties on the ice. 

Reaves took to social media to say goodbye: “You can rest easy knowing the corners are a little safer today. Mic drop, gloves drop. Reavo out.” Even though he has hung up his skates, it may not be a true goodbye from the game of hockey. He was a noteworthy attendee at the NHL’s third annual Broadcast Training Camp in July. Veteran broadcaster Kenny Albert led the way, teaching former players the nuances of in-game commentary and analysis. 

Now as the Sharks enter 2026-27 with playoff expectations, Reaves deserves a slice of the credit. He helped change the culture in San Jose that had become something of a nightmare after years of some of the worst hockey the NHL has seen in recent memory that led to four top-five draft picks since 2023.