San Jose Sharks and San Jose Barracuda forward Andrew Poturalski doesn’t chase individual awards, but when the veteran forward was named team MVP this season, it was hard to argue he hadn’t earned it.
“You don’t really play the game for the individual awards,” Poturalski said. “But I think it’s a testament to our team and the good players that I get to play with every night.”
This season, his play on the ice even earned him a three-game look with the San Jose Sharks.
Humble, but competitive, is exactly what makes Poturalski such a vital piece of the Barracuda. He finished another standout season with a strong presence on the ice and off it, helping guide a young group into playoff contention. His 73 points (30 goals, 43 assists) in 59 games led the league—something he’s done for the third time.
For Poturalski, it isn’t always about goals or assists; the culture matters as much as what fans see.
“I like to just try and be a good person and create a good culture,” he said. “You get to know guys, have them over for dinner… just get to know them and show them what it’s like to be a good person.”
That personal investment is part of what makes him a leader. Poturalski leads the way through daily examples, with effort, professionalism, and the way he treats people.
“I’m not really a big rah rah guy in the room and yelling and stuff,” Poturalski admitted. “That’s just not who I am. So, just try and lead by example.”
It’s a philosophy that’s served him and his team well. Poturalski’s contribution to building the culture of the San Jose Sharks stretches beyond a shift or a stat line. It shows up in the relationships.
“I think that’s what being a good team in playoffs is,” Poturalski said. “You need to have a close group and get to know guys.”
That chemistry came into focus late in the year when the team adopted a playoff slogan: “Be a Pig.” It may have sounded odd to outsiders, but it meant something deeper for the group inside the room. To them, it means something about committing to the game.
“Sometimes you come up with a slogan at the end of the year for playoffs, and maybe it’s a little cheesy or something,” Poturalski said with a smile. “But you know, it had meaning to us.”
For Poturalski, the meaning was never about flashiness. It was about identity, connection, and showing up every day for the guys next to you. He might not always be the loudest voice in the room, but when he talks, it’s clear he’s someone the whole room listens to. San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier got precisely what he hoped for when he signed Poturalski to a two-year contract.
The AHL’s MVP is not in the San Jose Barracuda lineup due to a lower-body injury and is considered week-to-week. The center also welcomed his third child on Thursday.
Read more news and stories about the San Jose Sharks on Sharks Hockey Digest! Bookmark the page and follow Sharks Hockey Digest on Twitter @SharksHKYDigest!
