UPDATE: The San Jose Sharks’ forward Pavol Regenda has just been named to Slovakia’s Olympic hockey roster for the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympic Games, set to kick off on February 11, 2024. This announcement comes as a thrilling moment for Sharks fans, as Regenda will be accompanied by fellow teammates Philipp Kurashev (Switzerland), Alexander Wennberg (Sweden), and Macklin Celebrini (Canada) at the prestigious tournament.
Despite only playing in six games for the Sharks this season, the 26-year-old left wing has made an impressive impact, scoring a hat trick during a recent game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. This performance marked a significant milestone, as it was Regenda’s first career hat trick, contributing all three of the Sharks’ goals in a 7-3 loss on Saturday. Overall, he has netted six goals this season, including a key goal in a victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this week.
Regenda’s journey this season included a significant amount of time in the AHL with the Barracuda, where he recorded four goals and eight assists over 28 games before being called up for his second stint with the Sharks on December 30. His previous Olympic experience includes a bronze medal from the 2022 Beijing Olympics, where he scored one goal and assisted on three others. Regenda has also represented Slovakia in four consecutive World Championships, tallying nine goals in 29 games.
The men’s hockey tournament will begin with the preliminary round on February 11 when Slovakia faces off against Finland, while Sweden takes on the host nation Italy. Switzerland, Canada, and the United States will open their campaigns the following day.
Fans are eager to see how Regenda and his teammates perform on this international stage as they aim to make their mark in Milan. This latest development not only highlights Regenda’s rising star but also underscores the Sharks’ growing representation in Olympic hockey.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Olympics approach, with excitement building for the Sharks’ presence on the world stage.
