Sharks Host Cancer Survivor Zach Janes
San Jose hosted Janes and his family for practice and a game through the Sharks Foundation.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Hockey
The San Jose Sharks hosted cancer survivor Zach Janes and his family on Friday and Saturday, arranged through the Sharks Foundation. Janes, who is in remission from stage 3 Ewing sarcoma, skated with players and attended a game against the Ottawa Senators.
Why it matters
The visit fulfilled Janes's long-held wish to meet the team and highlights the Sharks Foundation's community outreach in the San Jose area. It also reflects a personal connection between Janes, a Pekin, Illinois native who grew up playing hockey, and the franchise.
Janes, 22, is in remission from stage 3 Ewing sarcoma. The Sharks went 3-2 against Vancouver on Thursday and fell 5-1 to Ottawa on Saturday.
The players
Zach Janes
A cancer survivor from Pekin, Illinois, who is in remission from stage 3 Ewing sarcoma and grew up playing hockey.
Michael Misa
A San Jose Sharks forward who gave Janes a signed stick and said he hopes to do more of this in the future.
Sharks Foundation
The charitable arm of the San Jose Sharks that arranged Janes's visit to the team.
Thomas Speer
The Sharks goalie coach who passed Janes's request to attend a game to the Sharks Foundation.
The details
Goalie coach Thomas Speer was contacted by mutual friend Bill Maday, who connected him with Janes, and Speer then passed the wish to the Sharks Foundation. Forward Michael Misa, who had a breakaway in Thursday's win, skated with Janes, gave him a signed stick and plans to give him a jersey after Saturday's game.
Timeline
Thursday: Sharks beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2.
Friday: Janes and his family visited the team and skated on the ice.
Saturday: Sharks lost 5-1 to the Ottawa Senators; Janes met Misa after the game.
Roadmap
The visit shows how professional franchises use foundation programs to deliver personal experiences to fans facing serious illness. It extends the Sharks' broader community-outreach efforts in the San Jose area.
Misa's plan to deliver a jersey after Saturday's game gives Janes a tangible team memento. Fans following the Sharks can track the franchise's foundation visits as part of its community-facing programming.
The takeaway
Community programs like the Sharks Foundation's can turn a long-held personal wish into a shared moment with a team. Supporting local charities that connect fans with teams offers a direct way to be part of that impact.
Further reading
Explore more Hockey coverage for context on the Sharks.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NHL.
