The San Jose Sharks have placed goaltender Vitek Vanecek on a week-to-week basis. Vanecek as injured during the December 17th game against the Winnipeg Jets, while sitting rink side.
San Jose Sharks Goaltender Injured While On The Bench
Warsofsky says Vanecek will be out for at least a couple weeks with an upper-body injury
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) December 18, 2024
The San Jose Sharks faced the Winnipeg Jets at home on December 17th. Vanecek was sitting on the sidelines as the backup goaltender for Alexandar Georgiev who was in the net.
During the first period, shortly after the Sharks tied the game. The puck had been deflected off a players stick and directed towards the Sharks bench where it hit Vanecek up high.
He immediately received attention from the medical staff, exiting the locker room to not return the rest of the game. During the third period, it was reported that Vanecek would not be back.
I went back and looked and here’s what happened. Right after the goal a puck was deflected out and went right on the #SJSharks bench and hit Vanecek. 🎥: @NBCSSharks pic.twitter.com/97tiXu9UZz
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) December 18, 2024
Following the game, there were no updates on Vancek or his injury.
Sharks Head Coach Provides Vague Update on Vanecek
Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky commented Wednesday morning following their morning skate. “He’s going to be out here a little bit. A couple of weeks with an upper-body injury.”
He was unable to disclose any further information other than that Vanecek would be seeing a doctor and an update to follow.
Vanecek recently returned to the lineup after sustaining another upper body injury back in November. During a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, he collided with a teammate behind the net. Vanecek missed two games before returning to the lineup.
Vanecek has played in 14 games for the Sharks this season with a 3-8-1 record and a .885 save percentage.
Sharks Recall Rookie Goaltender Ready To Fill In
The San Jose Sharks have recalled Yaroslav Asarov from the San Jose Barracuda AHL team.
The #SJSharks have recalled G Yaroslav Askarov from the @sjbarracuda.
— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) December 18, 2024
Askarov has had an impressive season with the Barracuda and has spent two games with the Sharks. This will be a great opportunity for him to continue to develop but also to gain experience with the team.
This will be the first time Askarov will have an extended period of NHL games. He has previously played two games for the Sharks while Vanecek was injured in November. He has a record of 1-0-1 and .927 save percentage and 51 saves.
While playing with the Barracuda, Askarov has played in 14 games and a record of 9-4-2 with a .938 save percentage. So far this season he also has three shutouts.
The Rookie Goaltender and Newly Acquired Goalie Become a Goaltending Tandem.
Askarov was traded to the San Jose Sharks from the Nashville Predators in late August of this year. The Sharks recently acquired goaltender Alexandar Georgiev from the Colorado Avalanche.
The two goaltenders are joining a team that has months to work and grow together. This will be a growing period for the team as they adjust to the changes in goaltending. They have two games ahead of them before a three day break for the holiday.
Today’s #SJSharks practice is optional, but it is pretty well attended. Both Georgiev and Askarov are on the ice.
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) December 18, 2024
The Sharks will face the Colorado Avalanche on December 19th for the first time since their goalie trade. It is suspected that Georgiev will start the game while Askarov will be the backup.
Main Photo: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
