Eric Pohlkamp

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. 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.

He was drafted in the fifth round, 132nd overall, by the San Jose Sharks in the 2023 NHL entry draft.

College

On January 19, 2022, Pohlkamp committed to play college ice hockey at Bemidji State. 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.

Following his freshman year, he transferred to Denver in April 2024. 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.

During the 2025–26 season, in his junior year, he recorded 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 41 games. He led all Denver players and NCAA defensemen in goals and points. 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. 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). The Denver Pioneers won the 2026 NCAA National Championship, with Pohlkamp recording one goal and one assist over the course of the tournament. Following the season he was named to the All-NCHC First Team and named NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year. He was also named a top-three finalist for the Hobey Baker Award.

Professional

On April 11, 2026, Pohlkamp was named the 2025–26 Sharks Prospect of the Year by Sharks hockey management and staff.

Pohlkamp signed a two-year entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on April 16, 2026. Pohlkamp made his professional hockey debut on April 24 with the San Jose Barracuda, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team of the Sharks, during the Calder Cup Playoffs. That same night, he recorded his first professional point, an assist, in what would be a 5-1 loss, resulting in the Barracuda being eliminated from the playoffs.

Pohlkamp started the 2026–27 season with the Barracuda, recording seven assists over his first 10 games. He was recalled by the Sharks on November 3, 2026, and made his NHL debut the following night on November 4 in a 2-7 loss against the Los Angeles Kings. Pohlkamp recorded his first NHL point, an assist, on November 7 in a 3-4 loss against the Dallas Stars.

Regular season and playoffs

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