Luca Cagnoni

Growing up in Burnaby, British Columbia, Luca Cagnoni's path took a decisive turn in November 2020 when a brief 30-minute tryout with the Portland Winterhawks turned into a roster spot. He arrived in the WHL during a pandemic-shortened season and used that foothold to build a junior career across four campaigns in Portland.

Cagnoni’s last season in the WHL produced a standout statistical leap. In 2023–24 he tallied 18 goals and 72 assists for 90 points in 65 games, leading defensemen in scoring and becoming the first WHL blueliner in three decades to reach 90 points. That campaign earned him recognition among the Canadian Hockey League’s star teams.

Selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fourth round, 123rd overall, at the 2023 draft, Cagnoni signed a three-year entry-level contract on 22 May 2024. He began his pro career with the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, in 2024–25, where he was the highest-scoring rookie defenseman league-wide in seven years and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team. His NHL debut came on 20 March 2025 against the Carolina Hurricanes, and two nights later he recorded his first NHL point, an assist in a game versus the Boston Bruins.

After finishing the 2025–26 AHL season with 43 points — first among Barracuda defensemen and fifth on the team overall — he was recalled on 12 April 2026 and played the season’s final three NHL games. A strong training camp ahead of 2026–27 earned him a spot on the Sharks’ opening-night roster, and on 1 October 2026 he scored his first NHL goal in overtime against the Florida Panthers, the first time a Shark has had his inaugural NHL goal come in extra time.

On the ice, Cagnoni’s record so far highlights an offensive-minded defender who contributes significantly to scoring from the back end. His junior totals and early pro production point to a player whose strength lies in creating chances and collecting points while developing into an NHL regular.