Josef Korenar

July 2022- Even though Korenar signed in the Czechia, the Coyotes still qualified him a contract offer. So, he remains Arizona property and possibly could return to the club in the future. Keith Duggan

June 2022- After an uneven year with the Coyotes organization, Korenar has signed a two-year contract with HC Sparta in Czechia. While in two games with Arizona he stopped 32 of 35 shots for a .914 SV%,  Korenar was shelled behind a bad Tucson team. He even spent some time in the ECHL. With top goalie prospect Ivan Prosvetov and the emergence of Karei Vejmelka, Korenar’s future with Arizona seemed bleak. Keith Duggan

July 2021- As the Seattle Kraken expansion draft approaches, Korenar has been traded to Arizona along with a 2022 second-round pick for Adin Hill and a 2022 seventh-round pick. The Coyotes are expected to protect Darcy Kuemper and did not want to lose Hill for nothing. Korenar will be left unprotected in the expansion draft and if unselected it’s undecided what is role will be with the Coyotes for 2021-22 season. Korenar split last year between the Czech Extraliga, AHL and NHL, seeing 10 appearances with the San Jose. He posted a 3,22 GAA and .898 SV% for the 26th place Sharks. Keith Duggan

October 2020 – Korenar was recently loaned to HC Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga, the top tier of Czech ice hockey. He is expected to return to San Jose in time for training camp this year, though the Sharks addition of Devan Dubnyk does not bode well for his hopes of playing an NHL game in the 20-21 season. It is no secret that both Jones and Dubnyk have struggled in the blue paint recently though, stay patient Josef, your time will come. Alex Howes

November 2019 – Korenar has earned himself the starting role with the Barracuda this season, and is hoping to continue to impress the big club after a very positive rookie season. His numbers in the AHL aren’t exactly a model of consistency, but his two shutouts in seven starts are sure to have caught the attention of the Sharks front office. If Korenar can settle into his starting role nicely and begin putting up consistent numbers, don’t be surprised to see him earn a few games in the NHL. Fans and fantasy owners should keep an eye on the young Czech, who might become the answer to San Jose’s goalie woes sooner than expected. Alex Howes

June 2019 – Korenar had a great start to the AHL season, leading to his selection as an AHL All-Star. His play leveled out over the remainder of the season, however this was still a promising first professional year for the Czech goaltender. Sharing the Barracuda crease this season with AHL veteran Antoine Bibeau, Korenar more than held his own. With the struggles of both Dell and Jones at the NHL level, there were even some calls to get Korenar into an NHL game. Expect Korenar to get the bulk of the starts for the Barracuda next season and possibly get into an NHL game or two. Chris Legg

November 2018 – Korenar was named first star for the Barracuda in a game against the Stockton Heat after stopping 30 of 32 shots, earning the win for San Jose. Korenar is having an excellent debut season in the AHL posting a GAA of 2.09 and a SV% of .927, he’s earned more starts than projected in the pre-season. The Barracuda now appear to have the luxury of two quality AHL goaltenders in Korenar and Bibeau, we can expect to see Korenar continue to get his fair share of the workload. At just 20 years old, Korenar has the higher upside of the two, so keep an eye on him as he could be the heir apparent to Martin Jones in San Jose. Chris Legg

August 2018 – Josef Korenar raised some eyebrows at the 2018 World Junior Championship where he made 51 saves in the quarterfinal for the Czech, upsetting team Finland. Ultimately Korenar and the Czech were unable to get past team Canada in the semi-final, but it was an outstanding tournament for the goaltender none the less. In a surprise to nobody, Korenar was named one of three top players for the Czech team. Korenar put up good numbers in the Czech league this past season, where he was playing on loan from the Sharks. He’s expected to backup Antoine Bibeau in the AHL this season and some AHL starts will be a huge step in Korenar’s development. Korenar should still be considered a few years away from the NHL, but he has starter potential down the road. Chris Legg

July 2017 – The Sharks signed USHL goalie Josef Korenar to a three-year entry-level contract in a somewhat surprising move. The average-sized Czech goalie appeared in 32 games with the Lincoln Stars and posted a solid stat line: 2.22 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in his first year in North America.

The Sharks have loaned Korenar, who was the most impressive goalie at the prospect scrimmage this summer, to HC Dukla Jihlava, where he played his youth hockey back in the Czech Republic. Zachary DeVine