Where to follow Sharks Prospects

Hey everyone! For those that don't know me from HB. During the season I'll usually post a daily update about how our prospects did, and it's something I enjoy doing. However, I thought I'd write up a quick list of players, and where they are currently playing. This way if you so choose you can follow them all year too!



First off, for those that don't know, there are 3 junior leagues in the CHL (Canadian Hockey League). WHL (Western Hockey League), OHL (Ontario Hockey League), and QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). There are a million international leagues so I'll just lump them together. There are also the NCAA (Collegiate Hockey), USHL (United States Hockey League), BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League, one level lower than CHL), ECHL (East Coast Hockey League, pro hockey 1 level down from AHL), AHL (American Hockey League, professional hockey). I’m leaving the pro hockey prospects off this list since the entire barracuda and allen American teams are associated with the Sharks organization.



WHL:

Kelowna Rockets - Rourke Chartier - C/RW - Breakout season last year. Hampered by injuries in the second half of the season through the memorial cup finals.

Portland Winterhawks - Alex "big red" Schoenborn - RW - Grinder with a mean streak. Plays on an immensely talented group of forwards so it's very difficult to see where he's at. Hopefully, some of them will graduate to the AHL/NHL level so that we can get a better look at Alex.

Spokane Chiefs - Adam Helewka - LW - The big bodied left winger had a solid year for the Chiefs, and he'll be one to keep an eye on this season.



OHL:

Barrie Colts - Kevin Labanc - RW - One of the highest risers for the Sharks last season. Labanc showcased speed, elusiveness, and playmaking ability (especially on the power play). He was one of 3 Colts to score 100 points last season, and broke the franchises all time record for assists.

Saginaw Spirit - Dylan Sadowy - LW - A victim of circumstance. Sadowy plays on a lower end team in the OHL. He carried them to the playoffs last year only to get swept by the Sault Ste. Marie juggernaut. A deadly goal scorer he's one of the most feared goal scorers in the OHL. (Voted so by coaches and peers). This could be another year in the development of Sadowy. He was also selected for Team Canada in the World Juniors after the season along with Rourke Chartier.



QMJHL:

Chicoutimi Sagueneens - Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau (?) - LW - After a couple of disappointing seasons he wasn't signed by the Sharks and re-entered the 2015 draft. He was not selected by any team and became a free agent. He was invited to camp by the San Jose Sharks afterward so they could assess him. He's still being listed as a SJ prospect on the official QMJHL site so I'll leave this here for now. However, I anticipate he will no longer be with our organization. Which I personally feel is unfortunate. He's very talented and I think he has the potential to be a quality FA signing for someone later in the season.

Halifax Mooseheads - Timo Meier - RW - The bruising first round pick of the 2015 draft. All eyes will be on Meier as his gifted linemate Ehlers graduates to the NHL. This is Meier's chance to shine, and we'll see what he can do this season.

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - Karlis Cukste - D - 5th round pick in the 2015 draft. Selected by the Huskies in the import draft, but he isn't showing on their official roster yet. So, I'll have to update this later when more information becomes available.

Sherbrooke Phoenix -

Jeremy Roy - D - 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft. Heralded as a first round talent. He inexplicably dropped to the second round. The Sharks traded up to get him, and they're hoping he'll turn out to be the steal of the draft. Plays the game like Dan Boyle, and will be a future QB on the PP.

Alexis Vanier - D - The massive defenseman will remind people of Douglas "Crankshaft" Murray. He's a physical defenseman with good size. Like Cranky he needs to work on his skating still, but his play is solid thus far. Last season was injury plagued. This year he'll need to show something to be able to transition to the next level. Could potentially be paired up with Roy.



NCAA:

Boston University - Danny O'Regan - C - High scoring Center played with Matt Nieto before Nieto graduated, and last season was linemates with Eichel. He scored the 2OT winner to secure the beanpot trophy for BU last season. One of the Sharks highest rated prospects, O'Regan is entering his Senior season of NCAA hockey. So this year will give him a chance to showcase what 4 years of development have helped him achieve.

Harvard – Colin Blackwell – D – Solid defenseman, if a bit undersized, for Harvard University. Sharks are high on this guy, and he is a big part of the Harvard team.

Minnesota – Michael Brodzinski – D – One of the top defensive prospects in our system. He’s entering his junior year at Minnesota. He’s one to keep an eye on these last couple seasons at Minnesota.

New Hampshire -

Mike Robinson - G - One of the controversial picks of the 2015 draft. The Sharks took Robinson in the 3rd round. He's at least 6-7 years away from the NHL. So, his supporters and detractors will have plenty of time to mull his future over.

Marcus Vela - C - Big center with developing game. He couldn't crack the roster for the Spokane Chiefs after they drafted him so he spent 2 years in the BCHL before committing to UNH. The Sharks picked him in the 7th round in the 2015 draft. He could turn out to be a very solid selection in a few years.

Union College - Jake Kupsky - G - The other goalie taken in the 2015 draft in the 7th round. At 6'5" 209lbs Jake is already NHL sized, and now he'll have 4 years at Union College and another 2-3 in the AHL to develop the skills to utilize that size.

Wisconsin - Adam Parsells - D - At 6'6" the common stigma is that he's a big man that will be molasses on the ice. The truth is that his skating is what scouts and coaches rave about with Parsells. He slipped to the 6th round which shows there is plenty to work on for him. He'll be at Wisconsin for the next 4 years to develop his game. So, expect him to start making noise around 2019-20. In the meantime, just keep an ear to the wind, and pray he becomes Chara-like for us.



International:

Rudolf Balcers - Stavanger Oilers (Norway) - LW - Solid season numbers, but a breakout performance in the playoffs rose his stock. Undersized currently, but scoring over a goal per game in the playoffs in the U20 league shows there's potential there.

Emil Galimov - Lokomotiv (KHL) - LW - 7th round pick in 2013. Galimov is still developing his skills in the KHL. Considered a longshot to make the transition to NA hockey.

Noah rod – Geneve-Servette HC (Switzerland) – C – One of the more polarizing prospects. There are those that are immensely high on this young man. There are others that aren’t sure what the Sharks have with him. He plays a very good defensive game, and the Sharks are hoping that his offensive side develops over the next 2-3 seasons. He projects as a future shut down 3rd line center if he can develop enough offense to produce to keep that spot.

Fredrik Bergvik – Mora IK(Sweden) – G – Rated as the top goalie in the Sharks system. That’s more of a testament to how barren Goaltenders are in the Sharks system than it is a testament to Bergvik’s ability. He represents Sweden at the World Juniors as their 3rd goaltender. However, he’s considered a long shot to come over to NA and even longer of a shot to crack the NHL roster. However, only time will tell with him like every other goaltender.



I hope this list helps you this season as we watch and see what we have with our prospects! Go Sharks! It’s an exciting time (finally) to watch our farm players develop.

This is actually really helpful and well written. Thanks JC!

Thanks man!  Prospects are my passion when it comes to pro sports.  That's why I love Baseball and Hockey so much.  A much deeper and more involved farm system.

I like my suggestion better

I second this motion.

Hey everyone! For those that don't know me from HB. During the season I'll usually post a daily update about how our prospects did, and it's something I enjoy doing. However, I thought I'd write up a quick list of players, and where they are currently playing. This way if you so choose you can follow them all year too!



First off, for those that don't know, there are 3 junior leagues in the CHL (Canadian Hockey League). WHL (Western Hockey League), OHL (Ontario Hockey League), and QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). There are a million international leagues so I'll just lump them together. There are also the NCAA (Collegiate Hockey), USHL (United States Hockey League), BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League, one level lower than CHL), ECHL (East Coast Hockey League, pro hockey 1 level down from AHL), AHL (American Hockey League, professional hockey). I’m leaving the pro hockey prospects off this list since the entire barracuda and allen American teams are associated with the Sharks organization.



WHL:

Kelowna Rockets - Rourke Chartier - C/RW - Breakout season last year. Hampered by injuries in the second half of the season through the memorial cup finals.

Portland Winterhawks - Alex "big red" Schoenborn - RW - Grinder with a mean streak. Plays on an immensely talented group of forwards so it's very difficult to see where he's at. Hopefully, some of them will graduate to the AHL/NHL level so that we can get a better look at Alex.

Spokane Chiefs - Adam Helewka - LW - The big bodied left winger had a solid year for the Chiefs, and he'll be one to keep an eye on this season.



OHL:

Barrie Colts - Kevin Labanc - RW - One of the highest risers for the Sharks last season. Labanc showcased speed, elusiveness, and playmaking ability (especially on the power play). He was one of 3 Colts to score 100 points last season, and broke the franchises all time record for assists.

Saginaw Spirit - Dylan Sadowy - LW - A victim of circumstance. Sadowy plays on a lower end team in the OHL. He carried them to the playoffs last year only to get swept by the Sault Ste. Marie juggernaut. A deadly goal scorer he's one of the most feared goal scorers in the OHL. (Voted so by coaches and peers). This could be another year in the development of Sadowy. He was also selected for Team Canada in the World Juniors after the season along with Rourke Chartier.



QMJHL:

Chicoutimi Sagueneens - Gabryel Paquin-Boudreau (?) - LW - After a couple of disappointing seasons he wasn't signed by the Sharks and re-entered the 2015 draft. He was not selected by any team and became a free agent. He was invited to camp by the San Jose Sharks afterward so they could assess him. He's still being listed as a SJ prospect on the official QMJHL site so I'll leave this here for now. However, I anticipate he will no longer be with our organization. Which I personally feel is unfortunate. He's very talented and I think he has the potential to be a quality FA signing for someone later in the season.

Halifax Mooseheads - Timo Meier - RW - The bruising first round pick of the 2015 draft. All eyes will be on Meier as his gifted linemate Ehlers graduates to the NHL. This is Meier's chance to shine, and we'll see what he can do this season.

Rouyn-Noranda Huskies - Karlis Cukste - D - 5th round pick in the 2015 draft. Selected by the Huskies in the import draft, but he isn't showing on their official roster yet. So, I'll have to update this later when more information becomes available.

Sherbrooke Phoenix -

Jeremy Roy - D - 2nd round pick in the 2015 draft. Heralded as a first round talent. He inexplicably dropped to the second round. The Sharks traded up to get him, and they're hoping he'll turn out to be the steal of the draft. Plays the game like Dan Boyle, and will be a future QB on the PP.

Alexis Vanier - D - The massive defenseman will remind people of Douglas "Crankshaft" Murray. He's a physical defenseman with good size. Like Cranky he needs to work on his skating still, but his play is solid thus far. Last season was injury plagued. This year he'll need to show something to be able to transition to the next level. Could potentially be paired up with Roy.



NCAA:

Boston University - Danny O'Regan - C - High scoring Center played with Matt Nieto before Nieto graduated, and last season was linemates with Eichel. He scored the 2OT winner to secure the beanpot trophy for BU last season. One of the Sharks highest rated prospects, O'Regan is entering his Senior season of NCAA hockey. So this year will give him a chance to showcase what 4 years of development have helped him achieve.

Harvard – Colin Blackwell – D – Solid defenseman, if a bit undersized, for Harvard University. Sharks are high on this guy, and he is a big part of the Harvard team.

Minnesota – Michael Brodzinski – D – One of the top defensive prospects in our system. He’s entering his junior year at Minnesota. He’s one to keep an eye on these last couple seasons at Minnesota.

New Hampshire -

Mike Robinson - G - One of the controversial picks of the 2015 draft. The Sharks took Robinson in the 3rd round. He's at least 6-7 years away from the NHL. So, his supporters and detractors will have plenty of time to mull his future over.

Marcus Vela - C - Big center with developing game. He couldn't crack the roster for the Spokane Chiefs after they drafted him so he spent 2 years in the BCHL before committing to UNH. The Sharks picked him in the 7th round in the 2015 draft. He could turn out to be a very solid selection in a few years.

Union College - Jake Kupsky - G - The other goalie taken in the 2015 draft in the 7th round. At 6'5" 209lbs Jake is already NHL sized, and now he'll have 4 years at Union College and another 2-3 in the AHL to develop the skills to utilize that size.

Wisconsin - Adam Parsells - D - At 6'6" the common stigma is that he's a big man that will be molasses on the ice. The truth is that his skating is what scouts and coaches rave about with Parsells. He slipped to the 6th round which shows there is plenty to work on for him. He'll be at Wisconsin for the next 4 years to develop his game. So, expect him to start making noise around 2019-20. In the meantime, just keep an ear to the wind, and pray he becomes Chara-like for us.



International:

Rudolf Balcers - Stavanger Oilers (Norway) - LW - Solid season numbers, but a breakout performance in the playoffs rose his stock. Undersized currently, but scoring over a goal per game in the playoffs in the U20 league shows there's potential there.

Emil Galimov - Lokomotiv (KHL) - LW - 7th round pick in 2013. Galimov is still developing his skills in the KHL. Considered a longshot to make the transition to NA hockey.

Noah rod – Geneve-Servette HC (Switzerland) – C – One of the more polarizing prospects. There are those that are immensely high on this young man. There are others that aren’t sure what the Sharks have with him. He plays a very good defensive game, and the Sharks are hoping that his offensive side develops over the next 2-3 seasons. He projects as a future shut down 3rd line center if he can develop enough offense to produce to keep that spot.

Fredrik Bergvik – Mora IK(Sweden) – G – Rated as the top goalie in the Sharks system. That’s more of a testament to how barren Goaltenders are in the Sharks system than it is a testament to Bergvik’s ability. He represents Sweden at the World Juniors as their 3rd goaltender. However, he’s considered a long shot to come over to NA and even longer of a shot to crack the NHL roster. However, only time will tell with him like every other goaltender.



I hope this list helps you this season as we watch and see what we have with our prospects! Go Sharks! It’s an exciting time (finally) to watch our farm players develop.