SHARKS CONCLUDE 2018 NHL DRAFT WITH FIVE SELECTIONS

Jun 23, 2018

DALLAS - The San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) concluded the 2018 NHL Draft today with Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson and Director of Scouting Tim Burke making an additional four picks for a total of five selections overall in the 2018 NHL Draft. 

After selecting Defenseman Ryan Merkley 21st overall on Day One, San Jose opened Day Two by trading up to the 87th position (third round) and selected 18-year-old Center Linus Karlsson (@Karlsson_16) from Karlskrona of the Swedish Jr. leagues. The six-foot-one, 180 pound pivot led his team in points (52), goals (27), ranked second in plus/minus (+11) and finished third in assists (25). He tied for the league lead in goals and finished tied for second in points, and was named the league's top player. In addition, he appeared in 13 games with Karlskrona's top men's team, recording one point.

He was ranked 39th by NHL Central Scouting (European skaters), and according to EliteProspects.com "Good size and goal scoring ability. Has fine hands and overall offensive skills. Very good hockey sense and great character." 

San Jose again traded up to the 102nd position (fourth round), selecting Center Jasper Weatherby (@jasperweatherby) from Wenatchee (@WenatcheeWild1) of the BCHL. Weatherby, 20, recorded 74 points (37 goals, 37 assists) and 47 penalty minutes in 58 games, and led the league in both goals and points. He helped his team win the BCHL Championship and was named a First-Team All-Star while also earning the league's MVP (Vern Dye Memorial Trophy) and the Top Scorer (Brett Hull Trophy) award.

The six-foot-four, 215-pound native of Portland, Oregon, will attend the University of North Dakota in the fall. He was ranked 198th by NHL Central Scouting (North American skaters). 

With the 176th selection (sixth round), the Sharks selected 18-year-old Goaltender Zacharie Emond of Rouyun-Noranda of the QMJHL. The rookie backstop posted a 9-14 record with a 3.26 goals-against average and an .897 save percentage in 24 games played.

Prior to his time in the QMJHL, Emond spent two seasons with College Notre-Dame Albatros of the QMAAA, and was named a QMAAA Second All-Star Team member in 2017-18.

The six-foot-three, 165-pound native of St-Cyprien, Quebec, was ranked 18th among North American goaltenders. 

With their final pick in the 2018 NHL Draft, the Sharks selected Left Wing John Leonard (@JohnnyLeonard24) in the 182nd position (sixth round) out of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst (@UMassHockey). Leonard posted 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) and 10 penalty minutes in 33 games at UMass. He led his team in goals (tied) and points and tied for second all-time for goals by a freshman in the program's Hockey East era. He played with fellow Sharks draft pick Mario Ferraro (2017 draft pick). 

The five-foot-eleven, 185-pound native of Amherst, Massachusetts, played two seasons (2015-17) with the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL). Prior to that, he was selected as the 2014-15 Western Mass. Player of the Year, was named the Amo 'Betts' Bessone Award recipient that season as Western Mass.' top high school hockey player, named ESPN Boston's Mr. Hockey, Boston Herald Dream Team and SB Nation College Hockey Massachusetts High School Player of the Year honoree in 2014-15. In addition, he played for Team USA in the 2015 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. 

In addition to the five players drafted, the Sharks have added several other prospects as free agents and confirmed tryout players for the upcoming summer.

Joining NHL contracts Antti Suomela, Vincent Praplan and Lukas Radil are AHL signings Thomas Gregoire, Jeffrey Truchon Viel, Matt Fonteyne, Evan Weinger and Zach Frye.

Draft eligible junior players that have confirmed tryouts with San Jose include Kyle Topping (center, ranked 59th among North American skaters), Jake Gricius (center, ranked 192nd by Future Considerations), and Max Paddock (goaltender, ranked 22nd among North American goaltenders). 

Most of these prospects, and many more, are expected to attend the Sharks 2018 Development Camp and Prospects Scrimmage. For more information, click here.

Here is a comprehensive look at the Sharks selections in the 2018 NHL Draft