Ryan Reaves Sharks locker room culture leader making unexpected impact in San Jose

From depth addition to culture catalyst

The trade that brought Reaves to San Jose last summer seemed transactional at best. Thrun, a defenseman with upside, was heading to Toronto where he might compete for a roster spot. Reaves, with his physical style and limited offensive game, appeared to be the kind of veteran you add to satisfy salary cap mechanics. The assumption was he’d play out the season in the background, providing occasional grit while the Sharks focused on developing their young core.

That assumption proved patently false before the regular season even began. During training camp, alternate captain Barclay Goodrow noted what Reaves brought to the team immediately: “He’s a great guy in the locker room. Big, powerful voice. That’s something I think we lacked a little bit last year. So he’s going to bring a lot to the table.” Goodrow would know—he played alongside Reaves in New York and understood the intangible value of having a veteran who commands respect while keeping the atmosphere light.

Reaves himself saw the opportunity in San Jose differently than many expected. Rather than viewing a rebuilding team as a place to simply finish his career, he recognized a chance to shape something meaningful. “Joining a developing team can be a tough ask for an experienced player,” analysts noted, “but Reaves has stepped up and shown the benefit that his situation can provide to both the team and himself.”

Building traditions that bind teams together

Perhaps no moment better encapsulated Reaves’ locker room leadership than Macklin Celebrini’s hat trick against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. When the rookie phenom completed his three-goal performance, Reaves didn’t just celebrate from the bench—he threw his own helmet onto the ice to ensure the traditional hats-on-the-ice celebration happened even on the road.

“I was just making sure there was something on the ice for him,” Reaves explained after the game. “Because we were away, so I didn’t know how far up the Sharks fans were, if they have good arms or not.” Celebrini saw the gesture and appreciated the thoughtfulness. “That’s pretty funny. It’s just the kind of guy he is, person. Also on the ice, the impact he makes, and the physicality he brings, the force. Also, the message that he has, it helps carry our group.”

That moment represented something deeper than a veteran helping a rookie. It showed Reaves understanding the importance of ritual and recognition in building team chemistry. Young players need to feel their achievements matter, and road games can sometimes dampen the celebration. Reaves ensured that didn’t happen, reinforcing that every milestone deserves acknowledgment regardless of venue.

The shark tooth necklace tradition takes on a life of its own

Reaves’ most visible contribution to Sharks culture has been the creation of a new postgame award. When the team’s original player-of-the-game award went missing, Reaves encouraged teammates to use various household items as temporary replacements. Then he took initiative and commissioned a massive shark-tooth necklace to serve as the permanent honor.

“I was looking for something with shark teeth on it,” Reaves said. “I figured a nice necklace, put it around somebody’s neck, [and I] got this made.” The tradition comes with a twist: recipients must give their postgame interviews while wearing the necklace—and shirtless.

What started as a simple replacement for a lost trophy has become a beloved ritual that mixes humor with recognition. It gives players something to look forward to after victories and creates viral moments that showcase the team’s personality. More importantly, it gives the Sharks an identity beyond their win-loss record, something crucial for a young squad still learning how to compete.

Protecting and elevating the next generation

Reaves’ role as a protector was expected—he’s built a career standing up for teammates—but his approach has been more nuanced than simply dropping gloves. Yes, he fought Matt Rempe when the Rangers rookie challenged him, earning praise from Will Smith: “Oh, it’s unbelievable. He got us all going, and can’t say enough about him.” But his protection extends beyond physical confrontations.

Coach Ryan Warsofsky has noted how Reaves actively mentors younger players during games. “He’s been awesome. I can’t say enough good things about this man. He brings energy to our room. He’s a veteran guy. Knows how we want to play with structure. I mean, he’s yelling at guys in D-zone coverage where to go.”

This vocal leadership is exactly what a team with promising teenagers needs. Macklin Celebrini, at 19, is already a superstar in the making. Will Smith, at 20, shows flashes of brilliance. But both need guidance on the finer points of winning hockey—when to push for offense, when to protect the puck, how to handle adversity. Reaves provides that guidance in real-time, supplementing the coaching staff’s instruction with peer-to-peer communication that often resonates more effectively.

The fight with Rempe demonstrated Reaves’ selective approach to confrontation. “He came up to me when I was talking to Panarin [in warm-ups], and said, ‘You want one?’ I said, ‘Yeah, maybe.’ He asked me to go off the draw, and I said I was gonna go run somebody first. And then it happened immediately.” Reaves didn’t seek out the fight, but he didn’t back down when challenged, showing young players the difference between necessary toughness and reckless aggression.

The “Release Us!” pregame ritual brings energy

Beyond his postgame contributions, Reaves has imported a unique pregame tradition from his previous stops in Vegas and New York. Before each game, he yells the goalie’s name followed by “Release us!”—a ritual designed to hype up the team before taking the ice.

“It started in Vegas with me and Johnny Merrill, and then I just kind of kept doing it,” Reaves explained. “I don’t know exactly what started it, to be honest. I would yell, Johnny. He would yell, release us, and then we would go. Then Johnny wasn’t on the team the next year, so I just started saying, Release us.”

In San Jose, Reaves waited until the regular season to unveil the tradition, catching teammates off-guard. “I think everything I yell takes them off guard for a second, but they’re getting used to it now,” he noted. “[Shakir Mukhamadullin] just stares at me and doesn’t know what’s going on. So I think he looks surprised every time I yell.”

The ritual might seem small, but these shared moments of levity and energy help bond a team. Young players see a veteran who still gets excited about playing. They witness someone who’s found ways to stay engaged through 13 NHL seasons. That enthusiasm is contagious, especially on a team that endured a difficult season the previous year.

Why veteran presence matters during a rebuild

The Sharks aren’t trying to win the Stanley Cup this season. They’re building toward something, developing a young core that includes Celebrini, Smith, and other high-end prospects. In this environment, it’s easy for veterans to check out mentally, viewing the season as something to endure rather than embrace.

Reaves has taken the opposite approach, and both he and the team are benefiting. For San Jose, he’s providing a template for how veteran players can contribute regardless of their on-ice role. He’s showing that leadership isn’t limited to captains or star players—it’s about engagement, enthusiasm, and genuine care for your teammates’ success.

From a personal standpoint, Reaves is finding purpose as he approaches the final stages of his NHL career. Primarily known as an enforcer, he’s expanding his legacy as a teammate and mentor. This added dimension to his career might not show up in traditional stats, but it will be remembered by teammates long after he retires. The Sharks need players who serve as leaders behind the scenes, and Reaves has become exactly that—even if he was the least expected candidate when training camp began.

The measurable impact of intangible leadership

While it’s difficult to quantify locker room culture, early returns suggest Reaves’ influence is making a difference. The Sharks have approached their potential this season with a surprisingly strong start, and players genuinely seem to be having fun despite the challenges that come with a rebuild. This matters more than wins and losses in the short term.

Research across various sports suggests that players who set a positive tone in the locker room can measurably impact team performance. The Sharks are seeing this firsthand. When rookies like Celebrini and Smith talk about leaning on each other and their veteran teammates, it reflects an environment where young talent feels supported rather than overwhelmed.

Reaves has helped create that environment. Whether it’s throwing his helmet on the ice, awarding a shark tooth necklace, yelling in the pregame tunnel, or fighting when necessary, he’s giving the Sharks something to rally around. He’s proving that every player on a 23-man roster matters, and that leadership can come from the most unexpected places.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment this season is the least expected: he’s made Sharks fans come to like Ryan Reaves. In a league where enforcers often play thankless roles, Reaves has become appreciated not just for what he does, but for who he is and how he makes those around him better. That might be the most valuable contribution any veteran can make to a rebuilding franchise.