Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) controls the puck during the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) controls the puck during the first period against the Vancouver Canucks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Mario Ferraro just signed a three-year contract worth $12 million with the Winnipeg Jets on July 2. He just ended a seven-year run with the San Jose Sharks.
Ferraro said his first experience in exploring NHL free agency happened very quickly. This gave him very little time to gather opinions before making his decision. He explained that his comfort and familiarity with the Jets came mostly from already knowing two of their players.
"Those are the two guys, but playing in the Western Conference for seven years, and playing against the Jets, and kind of having an on-ice relationship with some of those guys as well, competing against them and stuff like that," he said during an interview with Illegal Curve Hockey. "I'm pumped up to win here."
During the interview with Illegal Curve Hockey, Ferraro was talking about Gabe Vilardi and Cole Perfetti, his teammates on Canada's gold medal-winning roster at the 2021 World Championship.
Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) controls the puck against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) controls the puck against the Edmonton Oilers in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
With the tournament being held during the COVID-19 pandemic, players had plenty of time to bond off the ice, helping friendships grow.
Beyond those two players, Ferraro also explained the division rivalry, which went on for years, and that's why he feels connected to his new team.
Drafted 49th overall by San Jose in 2017, Ferraro has played 490 career NHL games with the Sharks, tallying 114 points (24 goals, 90 assists) along with 216 penalty minutes. On the international stage, he helped Canada win gold at the 2021 World Championship with two assists in 10 games.
Along with the legacy, his joining his old teammates gives Ferraro a new start.
Ferraro’s fresh start in Winnipeg
Ferraro's new deal holds an annual average value of $4 million, according to Spotrac. He is well-known for his shot-blocking and heavy penalty-killing minutes.
Last season, he played all of the 82 games for the first time in his career, and he did not play fewer than 78 in any of the past three seasons.
Ferraro's defensive impact was evident last season as he topped San Jose with 150 blocked shots and 277:11 of shorthanded ice time. He also averaged 21:02 per game, the third-highest mark on the team behind Macklin Celebrini and defenseman Dmitry Orlov.
This signing is part of the start to free agency for Winnipeg, as they add goaltender Stuart Skinner, forward Noah Gregor, and defenseman Henry Thrun.
Between his familiarity with the two players, Vilardi and Perfetti, and his previous games against Winnipeg, he comes in with a clear picture of the team, ready for the next season.
What do you think of the Jets' addition of Ferraro? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar