Michael Kesselring was introduced as a San Jose Sharks defenseman on Monday and spoke with the media.

Kesselring, 26, signed a three-year extension with the Sharks on Monday. The defenseman dealt with significant injuries with the Buffalo Sabers last season, but the Sharks still committed to him.

“It didn’t go to plan, but I appreciate Jarmo [Kekalainen] for getting me a new situation and a fresh start after a frustrating, tough, injury-riddled year,” Kesselring said. “I was driving back from the golf course and heard it was the Sharks, and honestly, it was where I wanted to be. It’s a team I had circled for the last few years. A spot where I think I can come in and grow my game.”

Kesselring revealed to reporters that he partially tore his right quad muscle and dealt with pain every time he bent his leg. After admitting he had returned too soon, the San Jose Sharks defenseman suffered a high ankle sprain, and his season was completely derailed.

“I was trying to play catch-up all year with my knee injury. It was a partially torn quad tendon, a pretty good tear, and basically anytime I bent my right leg, I got knee pain. It’s still something I’m dealing with right now. It’s almost back to 100%, but it’s something the doctor said would take a year to get better, and to be honest, I probably rushed myself back the first time I came back,” Kesselring said.

“Then I have a high ankle sprain. Another tough hockey injury that lingered for a long, long time. I think mentally it kind of just wore me down, not being able to be myself on the ice, and you know, every day going out for practice, being in pain a little bit, or one day my knee feels good, the ankle hurts, and one day the ankle feels good, and the knee hurts. So it was just a mental battle throughout the year.”

Kesselring says he dealt with a partially torn quad. Said he had pain in his knee every time he bent it. Then the high ankle sprain occurred after he said he had come back too soon. #SJSharks

— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) June 29, 2026

But for Kesselring, a chance to build on his good 24-25 season went on pause. The San Jose Sharks’ extension of the blueliner signals they believe in the player, and Kesselring wants to make good on that.

“It’s a big responsibility on me. I want to thank the Sharks, [Mike] Grier, and everybody involved. I’m extremely confident that I’m going to get back to that level and exceed that level, and the extension shows that they believe in me,” Kesselring said.

Part of getting back to that level is enjoying what is around you. With connections to the Sharks already, Kesselring already knows what he wants in San Jose.

“I’ve been in Cali. I know what Cali is about. Obviously, San Jose will be a little different, but I’ve played there a bunch. They say there’s good golf. I’m all for the good golf, and they say it’s a great group of guys,” Kesselring said. “I’m going to live, I think, in Santana Row. Get acclimated to the area. I know, it’s close to the practice rink, close to the game rink. I’m just really excited to wear my flip flops to the rink and go from there.”

Kesselring is excited to be with Will Smith, Collin Graf, & Ryan Warsofsky again

Kesselring already has lots of connections to this Sharks team. The defenseman has skated with Will Smith for multiple years. He’s also friends with Collin Graf and played for coach Ryan Warsofsky at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

“Smitty, I met Skating in Woburn, [Mass.]. When you get older, you don’t follow the younger kids as much, and there’s a little NTDP kid on the ice, backhand toe-dragging guys, and I’m like, Who’s this kid? And everybody told me, Will Smith. He’s going to go on the top 10, and I’ve skated with him ever since,” Kesselring said of his new Sharks teammate. “Great kid. I played a few world championships with him as well. You knew what was coming since college, since he was NTDP, so just a high-level passer, elite vision, elite stick skills, and it’s been fun to watch his development.”

“Then Graf, I’ve skated with him a little less, but I always see him throughout the summers,” Kesselring said. “Obviously, great story, he had a big year this year. [He] can score. [Has] skill to beat you one-on-one, so I’m really excited to play with him as well.”

“I felt like I had a lot of success under [Warsofsky]. I felt he pushed my buttons the right way at that tournament, and really got the most out of me with the role I played at that tournament,” Kesselring explained. “He really thinks highly of me as a player, and that was a big part of me wanting to come to San Jose, too.”

Former Sharks d-man left an impact on Kesselring

Former San Jose Sharks defenseman Jason Demers has been pounding the drum for Kesselring. When trade rumors began, Demers was outspoken about Team Teal going after Kesselring.

Kesselring told reporters that Demers was one of the first people he called after signing his contract.

“I have JD to thank a lot for everything. He was pumping my tires pretty good,” Kesselring said. “I met him at Oilers camp the year before I got traded to AZ. He just took me under his wing. I’m very grateful for him. He’s probably one of the most important people I’ve met in my hockey life and in my career.”

The two were d-partners in the AHL with the Bakersfield Condors during the 2022-23 season. In 49 games, Kesselring had 13 goals and nine assists.

“He was my partner that whole season in Bakersfield. He was just really good for me that year. Playing with an experienced vet, someone that I think I have similar traits to, and I think he just really took me under his wing,” Kesselring explained. “He helped me with the mental side of the game, still is. Helped me understand what it’s going to take to play at the NHL level.”

Kesselring called Demers his “father figure in hockey” and expects to remain in contact with the former Sharks defender. Kesselring also revealed that Demers will be around the Sharks in some capacity this season. Although nothing official has been announced, the Sharks have used Demers as a broadcaster at times over the past two seasons.