The San Jose Sharks training camp is well underway and today played their intra-squad scrimmage at Sharks Ice at San Jose. With a full year in Head Coach Peter DeBoer‘s system, this summer begins with the foundation of Sharks hockey already in place.
“It’s much nicer; we were just talking as a coaching staff. This year practices even the games, starting with the foundation in place that we had last year,” said DeBoer. “Especially with the guys that have been here before. You just feel like you’re much further ahead than we were at the same time here last year.”
Two Sharks forwards have returned to the Bay Area from the World Cup of Hockey: Joe Pavelski and Joonas Donskoi. According to DeBoer, both will get some rest before joining the team on the ice and will be held out of Tuesday’s opening pre-season game against the Vancouver Canucks. Even with five players still at the World Cup of Hockey, there is plenty of experience on the Sharks current training camp roster.
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Sorensen Continues to Impress
The story continues to be players that are forcing their way into the roster conversation. Most notable is the ongoing strong play of winger Marcus Sorensen, who others are starting to notice what Last Word on Hockey readers have known for some time.
Sorensen’s speed and agility on the ice was plain for all to see during the scrimmage, as he was at the Rookie Showcase and even as far back as San Jose’s development camp held in July. The 5’11”, 168-pound left winger scored a pair of goals to lead Team Ricci to a 4-2 victory. His first goal came on a penalty shot, which the Sharks have been using during camps instead of the usual power play.
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Sorensen also scored an empty net goal speeding by Brenden Dillon to seal the victory for Team Teal.
“I love to skate and skate hard every shift. That’s what I tried to do today, too,” said Sorensen after the scrimmage. “And I’m happy we won.”
Despite playing very seldom on the smaller ice surface, Sorensen said he prefers the North American ice, which he said suits his game more than the Olympic size ice rinks.
“I like [North American ice size] more than European size,” said Sorensen. “You get a little bit faster and much more intensity.”
The coaching staff has also noticed his level of play.
“He’s impressive. He has a lot of speed, and he backs people off,” said coach Peter DeBoer. “He’s looked good. We have six exhibition games, and this is just the start. There’s a lot of guys that look good.”
The case for Sorensen has been bolstered by the average play of first round pick Nikolay Goldobin. The only plays of note for the talented Russian were two defensive miscues and a missed opportunity in the neutral zone on Dillon. Sorensen’s main competition for a roster spot, Timo Meier, did not play due to illness, but should miss much more time, if any.
Schlemko Solid, Wiederer Still In Camp
David Schlemko also made a positive impression. The former New Jersey Devils and Arizona Coyotes defender showed his versatility on the ice and made solid plays both defensively and with the puck. He has been paired with presumptive partner Brenden Dillon for camp, and the two appear to be working well as the Sharks bottom pairing.
Only one 2016 draft pick remains in camp, and that is fifth round selection Manuel Wiederer. Wiederer, 19, was on loan to the QMJHL‘s Moncton Wildcats for the 2015-16 season and likely will head back to Quebec after training camp. But an interesting wrinkle is his loan status means he is not subject to the CHL transfer agreement. In theory, could be assigned to the San Jose Barracuda as well. The Deggendorf, Germany native posted 29 goals and 35 assists for the Wildcats last year. Despite his youth, he hasn’t looked out of place at camp.
“It’s a different level of hockey than junior or even rookie camp. It’s exciting to be here,” said Wiederer. “Just enjoy it, and learn as much as I can. It was pretty fun to play in that scrimmage.”
Jeremy Roy’s Solid Summer
Jeremy Roy is another prospect that put together a solid training camp showing. Roy scored another goal, a near mirror image to his goal against the Colorado Avalanche in the Rookie Showcase. He activated from the point off the rush and slapped home a goal which beat goalie Mantas Armalis between his legs before he could get the pads closed.
“Coming from a junior camp, pace is higher here,” said Roy. “Guys are better. Sometimes it can be easier to break the puck out, but you have less time to do it. So you just get used to it. The more it goes on, the more I get used to it and the better I am.”
Roy exhibits excellent on-ice vision and paired puck-moving ability, and is a key piece for the Sharks defense of the future. He’ll report to Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the QMJHL.
“You got to play faster, but the guys are already at the right spot right when you get the puck. So it’s easier to play like with Ward, Hertl and Tierney and all those guys. It’s easier to play with them. They already know the system.”
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