Why some Sharks players will be watching Super Bowl LX with keen interest

"General manager Mike Grier grew up in the Boston area while his father, Bobby, was a longtime coach and executive with the team. Bobby Grier passed away in September. The Boston-area natives on the Sharks' roster are forwards Will Smith, Collin Graf, and Adam Gaudette. Smith said he had a chance to attend Sunday's game between the Patriots and Seahawks at Levi's Stadium, but decided he wanted to spend the time at home and watch the game with his family in the Boston area instead."

"The NHL is on break, with over 100 players taking part in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. Too much travel, Smith said about going back and forth. I didn't want to deal with it. Smith, 20, and Graf, 23, were too young (or not yet born) to remember the early years of the Patriots' dynasty when they won three Super Bowls in four years between 2001 and 2004. But the Pats followed that with three Super Bowls in five years, from 2014 to 2018."

"After three consecutive losing seasons, including two straight 4-13 years, the Patriots, thanks to quarterback Drake Maye and a stellar defense, went 14-3 and earned the No. 2 seed in the AFC. They beat the Los Angeles Chargers, Houston Texans, and Denver Broncos to advance to the Super Bowl. I remember watching Week One, and they lost to the Raiders, Graf said of New England's 20-13 loss to Las Vegas on Sept 7."

Several San Jose Sharks personnel have strong New England ties: coach Ryan Warsofsky, GM Mike Grier and forwards Will Smith, Collin Graf and Adam Gaudette are Massachusetts natives and Patriots fans. Mike Grier's father, Bobby, was a longtime Patriots coach and executive and passed away in September. The NHL is on break as over 100 players participate in the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, which affected travel plans for some. Smith chose to watch a Patriots game at home with family rather than attend in person. The Patriots rebounded to a 14-3 season behind quarterback Drake Maye and a strong defense, beating the Chargers, Texans and Broncos to reach the Super Bowl.

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