Eric Pohlkamp
| Eric Pohlkamp | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
March 23, 2004 Brainerd, Minnesota, U.S. | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Defense | ||
| Shoots | Right | ||
| NHL team | San Jose Sharks | ||
| NHL draft |
132nd overall, 2023 San Jose Sharks | ||
| Playing career | 2026–present | ||
Eric Pohlkamp (born March 23, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played college ice hockey for Bemidji State University and the University of Denver.
Playing career
Junior
Pohlkamp played two seasons for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League (USHL). During the 2021–22 season, he recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 61 games. During the 2022–23 season, he recorded 16 goals and 35 assists in 59 games.[1] He led all defensemen in the league in points (51), power play goals (9), and power play points (27). Following the season he was named to the All-USHL First Team, and USHL Defenseman of the Year.[2][3]
He was drafted in the fifth round, 132nd overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 NHL entry draft.[4]
College
On January 19, 2022, Pohlkamp committed to play college ice hockey at Bemidji State.[5] During the 2023–24 season. In his freshman year, he recorded 11 goals and 13 assists in 32 games. He led all team defensemen in goals, and ranked second in points. He also led the team in shots (121) power-play goals (5) and game-winning goals (3). During conference play he led all CCHA defensemen with six goals and 68 shots, and ranked third with 16 points. Following the season he was named to the All-CCHA Rookie team and All-CCHA First team.[1]
Following his freshman year, he transferred to Denver in April 2024.[6] During the 2024–25 season, in his sophomore year, he recorded 11 goals and 24 assists in 44 games, and led the team with 60 blocked shots. He ranked fourth in the NCAA among defensemen in scoring and was tied for fifth in goals.[1]
During the 2025–26 season, in his junior year, he recorded 18 goals and 21 assists in 41 games. He led all Denver players and NCAA defensemen in goals (18) and points (39). He also ranked first among all skaters in the country with 185 shots on goal, and led the team with 77 blocked shots. On October 11, 2025, during the home opening game of the season against Bentley, he scored his first career hat-trick. He became the fourth defenseman in NCHC history to record a hat-trick.[7] His 18 goals are the most in a single season by a defenseman in conference history. In 24 conference games he led all NCHC defensemen in points (22) and goals (9). Following the season he was named to the All-NCHC First Team and named NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year.[8] He was also named a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.[9]
Professional
Pohlkamp signed a two-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on April 16, 2026.[10]
International play
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing United States | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Junior Championships | ||
| 2024 Sweden | ||
In December 2023, Pohlkamp was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He became the first Bemidji State player to represent the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship.[11] During the tournament he recorded one goal and two assists in seven games and won a gold medal.[12]
Personal life
Pohlkamp was born to Joe and Mary Pohlkamp. His older brothers, Matt and Chris Pohlkamp, played college ice hockey at Bowling Green and then professionally in Europe.[13]
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2021–22 | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | 61 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022–23 | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders | USHL | 59 | 16 | 35 | 51 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2023–24 | Bemidji State University | CCHA | 32 | 11 | 13 | 24 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2024–25 | University of Denver | NCHC | 44 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2025–26 | University of Denver | NCHC | 43 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2025–26 | San Jose Barracuda | AHL | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| NCAA totals | 119 | 40 | 58 | 98 | 73 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | United States | WJC | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| Junior totals | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||
Awards and honors
| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| USHL | ||
| All-USHL First Team | 2023 | [14] |
| Defenseman of the Year | 2023 | [15] |
| College | ||
| All-CCHA Rookie Team | 2024 | [16] |
| All-CCHA First Team | 2024 | [17] |
| All-NCHC Third Team | 2025 | [18] |
| All-NCHC First Team | 2026 | [19] |
| NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year | 2026 | [20] |
| AHCA West First Team All-American | 2026 | [21] |
References
- ^ a b c "Eric Pohlkamp". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "Hockey: Pohlkamp named to All-USHL First Team". Brainerd Dispatch. May 3, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "Eric Pohlkamp of Cedar Rapids RoughRiders is USHL Defenseman of the Year". The Gazette. May 4, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Rubado, Jared (June 29, 2023). "San Jose Sharks select incoming Bemidji State defenseman Eric Pohlkamp in NHL Entry Draft". The Bemidji Pioneer. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "Boys Hockey: Pohlkamp commits to Bemidji State". Brainerd Dispatch. January 19, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Miller, Max (April 6, 2024). "Sharks Prospect Commits To New NCAA Home After Breakout Freshman Campaign". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "College Hockey: Pohlkamp and Geisel Lead No. 5 Denver to home-opening victory". Brainerd Dispatch. October 13, 2025. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Knabenbauer, Ron (March 16, 2026). "Eric Pohlkamp Named NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Knabenbauer, Ron (April 2, 2026). "Eric Pohlkamp Named Hobey Baker Award Hat Trick Finalist". denverpioneers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "Sharks sign defenseman Eric Pohlkamp". NHL.com. April 16, 2026. Retrieved April 16, 2026.
- ^ "Eric Pohlkamp selected for Team USA at 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden". The Bemidji Pioneer. December 18, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Rubado, Jared (January 19, 2024). "Bemidji State's Eric Pohlkamp took an unlikely path to gold with the help of his family". The Bemidji Pioneer. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "Eric Pohlkamp". bsubeavers.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "2022-23 All-USHL Teams Announced". USHL.com. May 1, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "Pohlkamp Named USHL Defenseman of the Year". USHL.com. May 4, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "CCHA All-Rookie Team Revealed". CCHA.com. March 11, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "All-CCHA First Team Announced". CCHA.com. March 11, 2024. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Weisman, Michael (March 12, 2025). "NCHC Announces Trio of 2024-2025 All-Conference Teams". nchchockey.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "NCHC Unveils 2025-26 All-Conference Teams". nchchockey.com. March 10, 2026. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ Weisman, Michael (March 13, 2026). "NCHC Doles Out Pair of 2025-26 Individual Defenseman Awards". nchchockey.com. Retrieved April 3, 2026.
- ^ "AHCA names 24 All-Americans". USCHO.com. April 10, 2026. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database