The San Jose Barracuda have announced they will honor legendary head coach Roy Sommer before their game on January 10th.
Sommer, who became the head coach of the San Jose Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate way back in 1998 with the Kentucky Thoroughblades. He moved with the franchise to Lexington (1998–2001), Cleveland (2001–06), Worcester (2006–15), and finally San Jose (2015–22).
Sommer spent nearly his entire 24 seasons as a coach with the Sharks organization. In his career, Sommer holds the AHL record for most wins by a coach with 808. Many former San Jose Sharks players have played for Sommer at some point.
Current Sharks forward Barclay Goodrow is the only active player on the roster to have played for Sommer with the San Jose Barracuda before his departure in 2022. When San Jose hosted AHL All-Star weekend, Sommer was inducted into the AHL Hall of Fame.
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Sommer helped current San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy go from player to coach after he was forced to retire due to a heart issue.
The banner raising will include a pregame ceremony hosted by Barracuda voice Nick Nollenberger, honoring Roy and his family and featuring notable Sharks executives, alumni, and special guests.
The Barracuda will also wear San Jose Rhinos jerseys during the game. Game-worn jerseys will be available for auction following the game. The Rhinos were a defunct professional roller hockey team that Sommer led to a Roller Hockey International (RHI) championship in 1995, playing at SAP Center.
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