Why Sharks always will hold special place in Hertl’s heart originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Editor’s note: Sheng Peng is a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
LAS VEGAS — Tomáš Hertl just wanted to win.
It’s clear that San Jose and the Sharks still are in his heart though.
Even after scoring the game-tying goal in a thrilling 6-4 Vegas Golden Knights’ comeback victory over the Ottawa Senators, Hertl took the time to talk about all things teal in an exclusive Q&A with San Jose Hockey Now.
Hertl shared that he always scoreboard watches Sharks games, who will represent him at Joe Thornton’s upcoming jersey retirement night, how he found out early that Joe Pavelski was planning to retire, his joy chasing a Stanley Cup again, and his thoughts about Macklin Celebrini and a new era of Sharks hockey.
After a decade of excellence in teal, the Sharks, five years and running out of the playoffs, traded their homegrown star to the Golden Knights last Trade Deadline. But?
“Never forget the Sharks, ever,” Hertl told San Jose Hockey Now. “It’s part of me.”
Hertl, on how hard it is to see the San Jose Sharks struggling:
Yeah, I still have friends [there],” Hertl said. “It was No. 1, my team, I will never play the same amount of years on any other team.
“I follow what is happening. Every time [we play the same night], I look [at their score] after ours.
“I wish they were in a better spot. They have [had] some close games, so hopefully, they can turn around. The players, the organization, all the fans, I obviously love to play there, they give me so much. So hopefully they can turn around this thing.
Hertl, on still watching the Sharks play from time to time:
“Yeah. Like yesterday, they [played the Los Angeles Kings]. I was watching the end of the game, after we put the kids [down],” Hertl said. “Almost tied it up there. It’s not easy, because it was kind of the same last year, and it’s not easy to lose a lot of games in a row.
“Honestly, just wishing them all the best all the time. It’s not just players, but the organization, the people around it and all the city, they give me so much.”
Hertl, on the Sharks being his No. 1 team…when they’re not playing the Golden Knights:
“They will always be,” Hertl said.
“Obviously, this is my No. 1 team, because you want to win games….