As the San Jose Sharks gear up for an exciting season, the organization signed defenceman Henry Thrun to a two-year contract. Drafted 101st overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, Thrun spent much of last season in the NHL. He played in 51 games, recording 11 points on a bottom-dwelling Sharks team. The contract will pay Thrun an average annual value of $1 M.
Henry Thrun is back for two more years! ✍️
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 24, 2024
The Sharks organization have closely monitored Thrun’s development. Although he was a later-round pick, he has worked his way into playing NHL minutes. Standing at 6’2″ and 190 lbs, Thrun combines size and a two-way game that will be important to the Sharks defensive core in the upcoming season.
Sharks Sign Defenceman Henry Thrun
As Henry Thrun’s entry-level contract comes to an end, this new deal represents a critical point in his career. During the 2023-2024 season, Henry Thrun tallied 11 points in 51 games with the Sharks. His puck-moving ability is an important element of his game. As such, Thrun aims to cement his place on a Sharks roster that has a lot of new offensive talent on the way. Moreover, the roster depth on the left side is currently limited. Thrun has a clear path to securing a permanent spot on the team.
The Sharks’ development team has dedicated effort to developing Thrun’s defensive skills and play in his own end. As a former later-round pick, Thrun will aim to ensure he earns himself a spot on an NHL roster. Thrun will have to continue to play well at both ends of the ice. The Sharks are not expected to perform much better than last season. Meaning Thrun is an ideal position to carve a place for himself in the league.
The Upcoming Season
As the San Jose Sharks continue to build their roster, Henry Thrun’s growth will be pivotal for the defence. Fans can look forward to his contributions as he continues to transition to the NHL. With exciting players like William Eklund and Macklin Celebrini up front, Thrun will have no shortage of talent to distribute the puck to. Additionally, with a reasonable average annual value, this contract offers the Sharks flexibility. With the Sharks looking to start developing some of their younger talent, a player like Henry Thrun will be pivotal in the lineup.
Main photo: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
