Eric Pohlkamp
American ice hockey player (born 2004)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eric Pohlkamp (born March 23, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the San Jose Sharks of the NHL. He previously played college ice hockey for Bemidji State University and the University of Denver.
| 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 | ||
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 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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] |