Down the Line - Camp is Coming

Lizz Child

Aug 19, 2022

With rookie camp beginning soon, there are a number of current and future San Jose Barracuda who will be making their way to the Bay Area. While not every player attending camp will be staying in San Jose for the season, rookie camp and the upcoming 2022 Rookie Faceoff offers a chance for Sharks prospects to make a case for themself ahead of the season. 

Returning to the Pros 

Both William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau spent a handful of games with the Sharks during the 2021-22 season and will be looking to remain in the NHL to start the new season. With many eyes on them, the pair will be hoping to prove that they deserve to stick around the Sharks roster. However, they are not the only two expected at rookie camp with some experience in the pros who have the possibility of NHL time in their sights. 

Though Tristen Robins, Brandon Coe, Ozzy Wiesblatt and Daniil Gushchin have each spent time with the Barracuda previously, they are coming to rookie camp looking to show off how they have improved. Likely to start the season with the Barracuda, the AHL will give each of the four a fantastic opportunity to shine and work on developing their game in preparation for their NHL opportunities. 

First Timers 

Free agent signing out of the North Bay Battalion of the OHL, Mitchell Russell is looking to show just why the Sharks signed him in May. 

Similarly, 2022 first-round draft pick Filip Bystedt will also be looking to make his case and show what he can do in front of the eyes in San Jose. Expected to re-join the SHL’s Linköping HC for the year, Bystedt will be hoping to leave an impression on the crowd in San Jose before heading to Sweden for the year. 

Meanwhile, 2022 second-round selections Mattias Hävelid and Cam Lund are looking to continue their strong outings from development camp. Lund specifically impressed during the development camp tournament and Hävelid has shown that he is a defenseman to keep an eye on. While Hävelid will be joining Bystedt with Linköping HC and Lund will be heading to Northeastern University for the season, they will have plenty of time to turn more heads at camp. 

San Jose native Reese Laubach will be looking to continue to establish himself in the Sharks organization before heading to Minnesota State University for the year. 

Michael Fisher, Jake Furlong, Joey Muldowney and Eli Barnett round out the skaters of the 2022 draft class and will all look to make their mark at their first rookie camp. 

Standing Out 

Goaltenders Benjamen Gaudreau and Mason Beaupit were recently at camp for Hockey Canada, looking to be considered for the 2023 IIHF U20 World Junior Championship. Both will be returning to their juniors teams but will be working to establish their standing in the organization. 

At development camp, Barracuda head coach John McCarthy mentioned Alex Young and Timofey Spitserov as players who were surprise standouts. They will be working to continue to impress through camp. 

Coming Back 

With defenseman Gannon Laroque possibly making his way to San Jose after missing development camp in July, one of the organization’s highly touted prospects may be seeing time in front of team staff before his season starts with the Victoria Royals in the WHL. He has noted that his recovery from a lower-body injury earlier this summer has been going well. 

Also absent from development camp, forward Liam Gilmartin is another face that may make his way out to San Jose in a couple of weeks.