Sharks Ready For the NHL Draft
The San Jose Sharks Are Ready For the NHL Draft
Jun 25, 2015The San Jose Sharks hockey operations staff has traveled to Florida locked and loaded with eight selections heading into the first day of the NHL Draft on Friday. Although the organization’s ultimate goal is to enhance the NHL product in San Jose and win the Stanley Cup, the selections made this summer will have a significant impact on the Barracuda as well.
Twelve of the Sharks’ former draft picks skated for Worcester in the AHL last season, including Chris Tierney (2nd round, 2012), Dylan DeMelo (6th round, 2011), Nikolay Goldobin (1st round, 2014), Mirco Mueller (1st round, 2013), and Taylor Doherty (2nd round, 2009), to name a few. In total, 52 San Jose Sharks draft picks suited up for Worcester in nine seasons.
Additionally, fans can expect several selections from this year’s draft to add to that number with the Barracuda at some point in the near future – perhaps even this upcoming season. Two of the 2014 San Jose Sharks’ draft picks (Nikolay Goldobin and Julius Bergman) played a handful of games with Worcester in the AHL at the end of last season. The 2015 NHL draft will offer Barracuda fans a glimpse of who will might lace up their skates with the Barracuda down the road at the SAP Center.
With two selections early in the draft (9th and 39th) this year, it should improve the likelihood of seeing a top-tier prospect play for the Barracuda down the road. Logan Couture (9th overall, 2010), Devin Setoguchi (8th overall, 2005), Lukas Kaspar (22nd overall, 2004), Nikolay Goldobin (27th overall, 2014), and Mirco Mueller (18th overall, 2013) are all examples of first round picks made by the Sharks who then skated in the AHL with Worcester.
But Barracuda fans should also be just as excited about some of the later selections in the draft. Dylan DeMelo (6th round, 2011), Konrad Abeltshauser (6th round, 2010), Tommy Wingels (6th round, 2008), Justin Braun (7th round, 2007), and John McCarthy (7th round, 2006) have all spent significant time in the AHL within the Sharks organization.
Listed below are the eight picks the San Jose Sharks own as of June 25:
- 1st Round (SJS) - #9
- 2nd Round (SJS) - #39
- 4th Round (from CGY) - #106
- 5th Round (SJS) - #130
- 5th Round (from NYI) - #142
- 6th Round (SJS) - #160
- 7th Round (SJS) - #190
- 7th Round (from TB) - #210
The first round will be conducted on Friday, June 26 and broadcast live by NBCSN in the United States and Sportsnet and TVA in Canada, beginning at 4 p.m. PT. There will also be a free viewing party at Stanley’s at Sharks Ice in San Jose from 3-8 p.m. For more information visit sjsharks.com/draftparty.
Rounds 2-7 will be held on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 7 a.m, PT with NHL Network providing live coverage to viewers throughout North America.
Now is the time to get excited about the upcoming season, Barracuda fans. Make sure to check back to SJBarracuda.com all offseason long for San Jose Barracuda coverage as we get ready for opening night in October!