San Jose, CA – Veteran defenseman Marc-Édouard Vlasic’s illustrious 19-year run with the San Jose Sharks has effectively come to an end, not due to a lack of interest from other NHL teams, but due to a newfound prioritization of family. The 38-year-old Quebec native received offers to continue his professional hockey career in recent months, but ultimately chose to focus on the arrival of his son, Samuelle, born on December 12th.
Vlasic’s contract was bought out by the Sharks at the conclusion of last season, a move that opened up significant cap space for the organization. Despite this, he remained committed to maintaining his conditioning, skating regularly until just days before his son’s birth. “I skated until December 10th and on the 12th, Samuelle was born and I stopped completely,” Vlasic revealed in a recent interview.
While several teams expressed interest in acquiring the seasoned defenseman, Vlasic found himself unable to commit fully. “I had a few approaches, but we were heading towards the birth of the little one, and the approaches I had, they didn’t interest me 100% with the family aspect,” he explained. The timing simply wasn’t right to uproot his family for a hockey opportunity that didn’t fully resonate with him.
“So I decided to concentrate on my role as a dad,” Vlasic continued. “I could have done both, but to move everyone for an offer that I didn’t agree with 100%… I decided to be there for the birth of the little one and for the few months after. We will reassess what I will do in April-May-June.” This suggests a potential re-evaluation of his options later in the year, but for now, fatherhood takes precedence.
Throughout his NHL career, all spent with the Sharks, Vlasic established himself as a reliable and consistent presence on the blue line. He amassed an impressive 84 goals and 295 assists in 1,323 regular-season games. While a Stanley Cup eluded him – the Sharks came close in 2016 – Vlasic achieved international success, winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Reflecting on that Olympic triumph, Vlasic highlighted the defensive solidity of the Canadian team. “Defensively, there was no goal coming in,” he recalled. He was particularly effusive in his praise of goaltender Carey Price, who was instrumental in Canada’s gold-medal run. “He was excellent against the best,” Vlasic said. “One of the rare goals he gave was during a breakaway against Latvia. He played really well. At that time, in 2014 and even later in 2016, he was the best goalkeeper in the league. Behind the defense, we had the best goalkeeper in the world.”
Vlasic’s departure marks the end of an era for the San Jose Sharks. He was a cornerstone of the franchise for nearly two decades, known for his steady play, leadership qualities, and dedication to the team. His buyout, while financially motivated for the Sharks, signaled a clear shift towards a rebuilding phase. The team is now focused on developing younger players and accumulating draft picks, a process that will likely take several years.
The decision to step away from the game, even temporarily, underscores the evolving priorities of athletes as they navigate the demands of professional sports and personal life. Vlasic’s choice to prioritize his family resonates with a growing number of players who are recognizing the importance of balance and the fleeting nature of time with loved ones.
While the future remains uncertain, Vlasic’s legacy in San Jose is secure. He will be remembered as one of the most dependable and respected defensemen to ever wear a Sharks jersey, and a key contributor to some of the franchise’s most successful seasons. For now, however, his focus is firmly on his new role as a father, a chapter in his life that he is embracing with the same dedication and commitment he displayed throughout his NHL career.
