The San Jose Sharks announced today that they have signed 20-year-old forward Carson Wetsch to an entry-level contract, a move that adds a blend of size, skill and character to their forward ranks.
A breakout year in Kelowna
During the 2025-26 WHL season Wetsch posted 72 points and 50 assists for the Kelowna Rockets, marking a career-high output and helping the club finish near the top of the league.
He capped the campaign with 22 goals, the third-most single-season total of his junior career, and contributed five multi-goal games while recording 21 multi-point efforts.
Leadership and experience
Wetsch served as captain of the Rockets and finished second on the team in scoring, a testament to his ability to lead both on and off the ice.
His leadership was evident in the playoffs, where he tallied four points in eight games and will now vie for a spot at the upcoming Memorial Cup.
A journey through the WHL
Before joining Kelowna, Wetsch spent three seasons with the Calgary Hitmen, where he emerged as a top prospect by scoring a career-high 33 goals in 2024-25 while also captaining that club.
Across 246 WHL games he has accumulated 196 career points, and his 24 postseason appearances have yielded eight goals and 11 points.
International pedigree
Representing Canada on the world stage, Wetsch helped the nation capture the 2024 U-18 World Junior Championship, contributing three points in six games, and previously earned a silver medal at the 2022-23 U-17 World Hockey Challenge.
He was selected by the Sharks in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft, 82nd overall, and stands at six feet two inches tall, weighing roughly 200 pounds.
What the signing means for San Jose
The addition of Wetsch gives the Sharks a young, offensively capable forward who can protect the puck and contribute on the power play. General manager Mike Grier praised the player’s character and projected impact, noting that Wetsch’s size and scoring touch address needs identified during the offseason.
With the contract in place, the organization looks forward to integrating him into their development pipeline and potentially seeing him make the jump to the NHL in the near future.