The San Jose Sharks will take on the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday with a new Bay Area sports star in attendance.
San Jose Earthquakes striker Timo Werner will be in attendance, sources tell Sharks Hockey Digest. The former Champions League winner with English Premier League giant Chelsea FC made his Quakes debut on Saturday.
The 29-year-old German has been a high-profile figure in European Soccer but made a shocking decision to transfer to the MLS during the January transfer window.
He’s played for Germany at the World Cup and for many high-profile clubs like Chelsea, RB Leipzig, and Tottenham Hotspur. The striker had an assist after he was subbed on at the 60th minute against Atlanta United.
With many European players on the San Jose Sharks roster, Werner could be well-known among soccer fans. Former Sharks defenseman Jan Rutta has told SHD in the past that he is a Tottenham Hotspur supporter. When the transfer was announced, defenseman Vincent Iorio shared the same shock when he heard the news. Iorio, who is Canadian, is a Manchester United supporter.
It is unclear whether there will be any additional recognition for Werner during the San Jose Sharks game on Sunday. Werner and the Earthquakes have won their first two matches of the season and are in first place in the Western Conference.
Alex Nedeljkovic will start in goal, per Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky. There will be no other lineup changes against the Jets.