Joe Pavelski facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joe Pavelski
Pavelski (right) with the San Jose Sharks in February 2010
Born	(1984-07-11) July 11, 1984 (age 41) Plover, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Forward
Shot	Right
Played for	San Jose Sharks Dinamo Minsk Dallas Stars
National team	United States
NHL Draft	205th overall, 2003 San Jose Sharks
Playing career	2006–2024

Joseph James Pavelski (born July 11, 1984) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played for 18 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). His teams were the San Jose Sharks and the Dallas Stars.

Joe Pavelski went to the University of Wisconsin. He played for their ice hockey team, the Wisconsin Badgers. The Sharks picked him in the 2003 NHL draft. He was the 205th player chosen overall.

He spent 13 years with the San Jose Sharks. He was their captain for his last four years there. Many people think he is one of the best Sharks players ever. He helped the team reach their first Stanley Cup Finals in 2016. After leaving the Sharks, he played five seasons with the Dallas Stars. He made it to the Finals again with them in 2020.

People called Pavelski "Little Joe" and "Captain America." He scored a goal in his very first NHL game. This made him only the 11th Sharks player to do that. He holds the record for the most playoff goals by an American-born player, with 74 goals.

Joe also played for the United States men's national ice hockey team. He won a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He was also the captain for Team USA at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto. Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on July 16, 2024.

Early Life and Family

Joe Pavelski was born in Plover, Wisconsin. His parents are Sandy and Mike Pavelski. He has three siblings: Jerry, Sheri, and Scott. His family comes from Poland. Their last name was originally spelled Pawelski.

His mother once said that Joe loved all sports. Hockey was a great fit for winter. She also said they did not realize how good he was at the time. Joe's younger brother, Scott, played college hockey for the University of New Hampshire. However, Scott did not play professionally.

Playing Career Highlights

Amateur Hockey Years

Joe Pavelski won a Wisconsin State Hockey Championship in 2002. He played for the SPASH (Stevens Point Area Senior High) Panthers. He was also part of the Waterloo Black Hawks team that won the Clark Cup in 2004. This was in the USHL. He also won the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award in 2004.

Pavelski played 84 games over two seasons for the University of Wisconsin. He scored 101 points during his time there. He was named to the All-WCHA Rookie Team in 2005. He also made the All-WCHA Second Team. He helped Wisconsin win the 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. He was the top scorer for his team that year.

Professional Career (2006–2024)

San Jose Sharks (2006–2019)

Pavelski during a game in the 2007–08 season.

Joe Pavelski started his NHL career in the 2006–07 season. He had a great start, scoring a goal in his first game. He scored 7 goals and 10 points in his first 12 games. Sharks announcer Randy Hahn gave him the nickname "Little Joe." This was a nod to his teammate, "Jumbo Joe" Joe Thornton.

During the 2007–08 season, Pavelski became a regular player for the Sharks. He played in all 82 regular season games. He also played in all 13 2008 Stanley Cup playoff games. He was very good at shootouts, scoring 7 times out of 11 chances. In the 2008 playoffs, he led the team in goals with five. He also scored three game-winning goals.

Pavelski had another strong season in 2008–09. He played in 80 games and scored 25 goals and 34 assists. This gave him 59 points, which were career-highs at the time.

In the 2010 playoffs, Pavelski had three games in a row with multiple goals. This helped the Sharks win all three games. He was the first player to do this since Mario Lemieux in 1992. After this amazing streak, he also earned the nickname "The Big Pavelski."

Joe almost scored his first NHL hat-trick on March 19, 2011. This was against the St. Louis Blues. However, one of his goals was later given to his teammate, Patrick Marleau.

During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Pavelski played for a team in Belarus. He signed with Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

On July 30, 2013, the Sharks announced a new contract for Pavelski. It was a five-year deal. On March 11, 2014, he scored his 400th career NHL point. This was in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That season, Pavelski scored a career-high 41 goals and 79 points.

In the 2014–15 season, Pavelski continued to play well. He scored 70 points. He was also named one of the Sharks' four alternate captains.

On October 5, 2015, Pavelski became the Sharks' ninth captain. He was chosen over other great players like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.

During the 2015–16 regular season, Pavelski scored 78 points. He earned a spot in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. He finished fifth in the NHL in goals with 38. He also led the league in game-winning goals with 11. Pavelski's success continued into the 2016 playoffs. He led the Sharks to their first ever Stanley Cup Finals. He scored 14 goals in the playoffs, leading all players.

Pavelski in December 2016.

On December 1, 2017, Pavelski scored his 300th NHL goal. He became only the second Sharks player to score 300 goals for the team. The first was Patrick Marleau.

On April 23, 2019, during the 2019 playoffs, Pavelski had a scary moment. He was hit and fell awkwardly to the ice. He had to leave the game. The Sharks were given a power play because of the hit. They scored four goals in five minutes. This helped them win the game in overtime and move on in the playoffs.

Dallas Stars (2019–2024)

Pavelski (left) battles with Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken during Round 2 Game 6 of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On July 1, 2019, Joe Pavelski signed a three-year contract with the Dallas Stars. On August 16, 2020, during the 2020 playoffs, Pavelski scored a hat-trick. This was the first playoff hat-trick for the Stars since they moved from Minnesota.

On September 26, 2020, in game 5 of the 2020 Stanley Cup Finals, Pavelski scored his 61st playoff goal. This made him the all-time playoff goal scorer for a player born in the United States. He passed Joe Mullen, who had 60 playoff goals. Pavelski and the Stars lost the series 4-2.

Pavelski was named an alternate captain for the 2021–22 season. He played on the Stars' top line with younger players Roope Hintz and Jason Robertson. This line scored almost 44% of the Stars’ goals. Because of the age difference, the line was called "Pavelski and Sons" by the Dallas media. On November 26, 2021, he scored his 400th NHL goal. He was the tenth American-born player to do this. On March 11, 2022, the Stars signed Pavelski to a new one-year contract.

He had a very good season in 2021–22. He scored 27 goals and 54 assists, for a career-best 81 points. He played in all 82 games that season.

On January 1, 2023, the Stars signed Pavelski to another one-year contract. Pavelski scored his 1,000th career point on April 10, 2023. This happened in a 6–1 win against the Detroit Red Wings.

After the Stars were eliminated from the 2024 playoffs in early June, Pavelski hinted that he might retire. On July 16, 2024, five days after his 40th birthday, Joe Pavelski officially announced his retirement from professional hockey.

International Play

Pavelski (#16) and Ryan Callahan (#24, with puck) move up ice against Canada during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
Silver	2010 Vancouver	Team

On January 1, 2010, Pavelski was chosen for the 2010 USA Olympic team. He was the only USA player from the San Jose Sharks. He had three assists as the team won a silver medal. He was also very good at winning faceoffs in the tournament. In the final seconds of the gold medal game, Pavelski won a key faceoff. He then made a pass that led to the Americans tying the game with only 24 seconds left. USA general manager Brian Burke nicknamed him "Swiss Army Knife."

On January 1, 2014, Pavelski was chosen for the 2014 USA Olympic team. This was his second time playing in the Olympics. He was named captain of Team USA for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. This is when he earned the nickname "Captain America."

Personal Life

Joe Pavelski and his wife Sarah have one son. Joe is also a co-owner of the Janesville Jets. This is a hockey team in the North American Hockey League (NAHL).

Pavelski also won the 2025 American Century Championship golf tournament. He has played in this golf tournament nine times.

Career Statistics

This table shows Joe Pavelski's hockey statistics. It includes games played (GP), goals (G), assists (A), total points (Pts), and penalty minutes (PIM).

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	United States	WC	4th		5	1	1	2	0
2010	United States	OG			6	0	3	3	4
2014	United States	OG	4th		6	1	4	5	0
2016	United States	WCH	7th		3	1	1	2	0
Senior totals					20	3	9	12	4

Awards and Honors

Joe Pavelski received many awards and honors during his career.

Records

• Most playoff goals by an American-born player – 74

See also

In Spanish: Joe Pavelski para niños