San Jose Sharks fans don't have to travel far to see some of the organization's potential future NHL players.
The San Jose Barracuda share the same city as their NHL parent club, while the Wichita Thunder return as San Jose's ECHL affiliate for another season.
- Sign up for FloHockey to watch elite junior, college and professional hockey all year long
- FloHockey's 2026 NHL Draft Coverage
- FloHockey To Stream 2027 IIHF Men's World Championship In United States
Here's what Sharks fans should know about San Jose's AHL and ECHL affiliates entering 2026-27.
Who Are The San Jose Sharks' AHL And ECHL Affiliates?
The San Jose Barracuda are the Sharks' AHL affiliate, while the Wichita Thunder serve as the organization's ECHL affiliate.
The Barracuda play at Tech CU Arena in San Jose and enter their 12th AHL season in 2026-27.
San Jose renewed its affiliation with Wichita in August, extending the partnership into a fifth season.
Why Sharks Fans Should Watch The San Jose Barracuda
The Barracuda could feature several prospects pushing toward NHL opportunities this season.
Head coach John McCarthy returns to lead the group, which opens its 72-game schedule Oct. 3 against the San Diego Gulls at Tech CU Arena.
San Jose Sharks Prospects To Watch With The Barracuda
Quentin Musty: The 2023 first-round pick scored 21 goals and recorded 45 points in 61 AHL games last season. Musty will compete for an NHL roster spot in training camp but could remain a major part of the Barracuda if he doesn't make the Sharks immediately.
Filip Bystedt: Bystedt led the Barracuda with 60 points in 65 games, including 22 goals. The 2022 first-round pick enters 2026-27 trying to force his way into San Jose's NHL plans.
Cam Lund: The former Northeastern forward is part of the young group expected to feature prominently for the Barracuda. Lund already has professional experience in San Jose's system and remains one of the organization's developing forwards to watch.
Luca Cagnoni: The defenseman recorded eight goals and 43 points in 67 AHL games last season while also appearing in three NHL games for San Jose.
Ivar Stenberg Is The Sharks Prospect Everyone Will Be Watching
San Jose selected Ivar Stenberg with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.
The 18-year-old recorded 33 points in 43 games for Frölunda HC in Sweden last season and signed his entry-level contract with San Jose in July.
Stenberg will play in North America this season, and NHL.com projects his NHL arrival for 2026-27. That makes where he begins the season one of San Jose's biggest training-camp questions.
Who Are The Wichita Thunder?
The Wichita Thunder return for their fifth season as an affiliate of the Sharks and Barracuda.
Nine players on NHL or AHL contracts spent time with Wichita last season, showing how the ECHL club fits into San Jose's development system.
Goaltender Matt Davis was one example. Davis spent time with both Wichita and the Barracuda and led Thunder goaltenders with a .928 save percentage and 2.62 goals-against average.
What's New With The Wichita Thunder In 2026-27?
Wichita enters its 35th anniversary season looking to improve after finishing 25-35-8-4 last year.
The Thunder will have a new head coach in Travis Clayton, who spent 13 seasons playing for Wichita and ranks second in franchise history in goals, assists and points.
Wichita opens the season Oct. 17 against the Tahoe Knight Monsters.
How The San Jose Sharks' Affiliate System Fits Together
The Barracuda give Sharks prospects an AHL development home in the same city as the NHL club, while Wichita provides another professional level in the ECHL.
With several young players pushing toward NHL opportunities, both affiliates give Sharks fans a place to watch for who could be coming next.
NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey
The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL, minor-league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.
Watch the AHL, ECHL, QMJHL, OHL, USHL And More On FloHockey
FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.
Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social
- Follow us on X @FloHockey
- Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
- Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook