In other news, the Young Prospects tournament in Vancouver started yesterday (09.12.10) with the rookie Sharks taking on the rookies from the Anaheim Ducks. Always an intense rivalry, even in exhibition games, it was the first hockey game I have seen since the Sharks were booted out of the Western Conference Finals and boy was it a welcomed sight. For many players, the tournament is an opportunity to show off their skills and gain the attention of the Sharks staff. If all goes well, they may be invited to the Sharks training camp and even called up to play in the NHL. Some of the names on the ice were familiar: Benn Ferriero, Nick Petrecki, Brandon Mashinter, John McCarthy, Marek Viedensky, and Taylor Doherty have all been seen in teal before but have yet to stay up in the NHL for very long. It was a nice preview of the talent in the Sharks system and a preview of who might actually make it to San Jose. Overall the game was fast and exciting with very strong physical play being a constant theme. The Sharks prospects were able to jump to an early lead in the first and then added three more goals in the second. They kept a 4-0 lead over the Ducks prospects until two 5-3 opportunities for the Ducks broke J. P. Anderson's shut-out bid. The Sharks went on to win 4-1 in their first game of the tournament. An interesting note about the game, J. P. Anderson was invited to camp on a try-out basis, he is actually not a part of the Sharks organization. He is also a right-handed catcher, something exceedingly rare for a goalie. He had great poise on the ice and made all of his saves look easy. Even during a few breakaways, Anderson held his ground well which was impressive considering that he is only 18 years old. With such a great showing, it will be interesting to see if the sharks decide to offer him some sort of deal or not but from what I've seen of him, he definitely deserves the opportunity.
September 13, 2010
Reshaping The Sharks Part 3
In other news, the Young Prospects tournament in Vancouver started yesterday (09.12.10) with the rookie Sharks taking on the rookies from the Anaheim Ducks. Always an intense rivalry, even in exhibition games, it was the first hockey game I have seen since the Sharks were booted out of the Western Conference Finals and boy was it a welcomed sight. For many players, the tournament is an opportunity to show off their skills and gain the attention of the Sharks staff. If all goes well, they may be invited to the Sharks training camp and even called up to play in the NHL. Some of the names on the ice were familiar: Benn Ferriero, Nick Petrecki, Brandon Mashinter, John McCarthy, Marek Viedensky, and Taylor Doherty have all been seen in teal before but have yet to stay up in the NHL for very long. It was a nice preview of the talent in the Sharks system and a preview of who might actually make it to San Jose. Overall the game was fast and exciting with very strong physical play being a constant theme. The Sharks prospects were able to jump to an early lead in the first and then added three more goals in the second. They kept a 4-0 lead over the Ducks prospects until two 5-3 opportunities for the Ducks broke J. P. Anderson's shut-out bid. The Sharks went on to win 4-1 in their first game of the tournament. An interesting note about the game, J. P. Anderson was invited to camp on a try-out basis, he is actually not a part of the Sharks organization. He is also a right-handed catcher, something exceedingly rare for a goalie. He had great poise on the ice and made all of his saves look easy. Even during a few breakaways, Anderson held his ground well which was impressive considering that he is only 18 years old. With such a great showing, it will be interesting to see if the sharks decide to offer him some sort of deal or not but from what I've seen of him, he definitely deserves the opportunity.