Baby Shark Making a BIG Impression

If there’s anything Sharks fans have to brag about at the moment, it’s having already captured the Pacific Division title…and maybe having the number 1 slot in the conference …oh and don’t forget they also have the best view of the entire league, the view from the top is just about the best view you can get. Alright so Sharks fans have a LOT to brag about…(in their minds they always have) but if you ask any true fan, they will surely tell you, it’s the talented team that fuels the dedication. Now what makes the Sharks team different than other teams in the league, you might ask? Simple…

Many (in fact MOST) teams have their superstars, their “Jumbo Joe” equivalents and they become the team’s “sun”…everything and everyone revolves around them…sure they have a few surrounding planets but no one shines as bright as their superstar. That story is undeniably different in the regard to the Sharks. Not only do they have the actual Joe Thornton, but with teammates like Patrick Marleau, Devin Setoguchi, Jonathan Cheechoo, Milan Michalek, Evgeni Nabokov, Dan Boyle, Rob Blake, Jeremy Roenick or Joe Pavelski how can one player make any bigger an impact than another? They don’t. In fact, to the 17,496 people that pack out the Tank every game night, this entire roster is their “sun” and no one shines brighter than the others…they simply take turns. Recently I attended an Islanders game at Nassau Coliseum and struck up conversation with one of the many incredible fans in attendance that night. When asked who my favorite Shark was, I was actually rendered speechless…and honestly…I was stumped. When I didn’t answer because I didn’t know how to answer, he just smiled and said, “Wow…you really are a true fan…you love the whole team.” I turned to him and I just said, “Yeah…I guess you’re right…”

As of late, Sharks fans have had even more reason to be proud…and expand their bragging rights. With injury plaguing much of the team at a very inopportune time, the Sharks organization had no choice but to call upon their affiliate, the Worcester Sharks, for help. Recently there have been four roster spots filled by Worcester players (Tom Cavanaugh, Jamie McGinn, Brad Staubitz and Ryan Vesce)

The Worcester Sharks have become so accustomed to life in San Jose, their presence at HP Pavilion is just as natural as seeing S.J. Sharkie with some little kid’s head in his mouth. For these guys, playing for the number one team in the league and playing alongside the same guys they grew up idolizing and watching on TV, is completely unreal. In total, nine Worcester players have been called up throughout the season…and these players are no bench warmers. Tom Cavanaugh scored his first NHL goal against Phoenix on March 28, Jamie McGinn scored goals in back to back games on March 22 & 25^th, Ryan Vesce at the time of his recall had a team leading 68 points in Worcester and was fourth on the list of scorers in the AHL…and the player who has pummeled his way into the hearts of all “Fin-atics”, the guy who through playing 34 games with the big club this season is as much a San Jose Shark as he is a Worcester Shark, Brad Staubitz.

Staubitz, who having played 34 games in SJ, has gotten more NHL time than any of his fellow Worcester teammates…and while he may not have the goals to show for it, there is a reason why he has stayed in San Jose so long. When I spoke to Brad after a game in Lowell, MA in January, he summed up his experience skating on San Jose ice in one word, a “treat”. The smile that spread across his face while he talked about playing in the NHL was one of pure joy. This is a hockey player who knows how lucky he is to be taking part in such an incredible team…but after 34 games, the true treat has not just been for Brad, but rather for the thousands of fans who have embraced him. Brad has become known for his physical style of play and Sharks fans aren’t complaining…he clearly possesses the same characteristics that they too possess in regard to the team…loyalty, devotion and passion...and he isn’t afraid to prove it. There may not have ever been a bigger celebration during and after a fight as the one on March 19^th at HP Pavilion when Brad took it to Jordin Tootoo. He received a standing ovation…and if you’ve ever been to the Shark Tank, you know how incredible that is. Being named the third star of that game, he explained in his post game interview how sometimes it’s just about the energy you can bring to the team…and if that’s what he can contribute then he’s done his job.

With 76 penalty minutes throughout his combined stints in San Jose this season and 130 in Worcester, it’s clear he has no problem doing what he does best, creating energy for his teammates and breathing life into the game. When all is said and done, Brad’s got a lot to brag about after having a season like he has…he’s done his family and friends proud, that’s for sure…but what he may not even be aware of is that he’s given Shark fans both in San Jose and in Worcester a heck of a lot more to brag about. In 34 games, he’s definitely left his mark on San Jose and has become just as much a part of the team as Jonathan Cheechoo, Jody Shelley or Milan Michalek…and it’s apparent that he’s enjoying his time with the big club.

Well Brad, you’ve earned it.

An Ode to the AHL

To preface this blog, I guess I should start with this – as many of you know, I will be heading off to Worcester Massachusetts to cover the AHL All-Star Classic in January. Thanks to an incredible friend of mine who for whatever reason has a lot of faith in me and has provided me with her utmost support, I will be going to the All-Star Game as a journalist (as well as a fan). It is an opportunity that I never ever thought I would be given the chance to have…I am so grateful.

You see, over the past three months I have been taking more and more interest in the AHL. Specifically the Sharks AHL Affiliate the Worcester Sharks…and in thinking back, I guess it all stemmed from September 23nd – the Teal and White Game.

Many NHL teams have a preseason scrimmage with their prospects as a means of entertainment and introducing the young talent to the fans…the Sharks do this by mixing both prospects and veterans and then dividing the group in two. (As opposed to Philadelphia where the Phantoms and Flyers just duke it out)

While many fans may not be familiar with their teams’ prospects, or pay them the attention they deserve, I personally started to take notice of the depth we had. We had seen the veterans before, we knew their style, their personalities, and what they bring to the game…I was curious to see what these other guys could do.

From the Teal and White Game through the preseason, I became familiar with the new names and their individual styles. I grew more and more impressed as I watched them become comfortable playing for the big club…so when the preseason ended and many of them were gradually sent back to Worcester, it’s fair to say I was sad to see them go.

…So I began to follow their successes in Worcester. Given the injury from which Torrey Mitchell is still recovering, the Sharks roster has had room for one more. Todd McLellan has taken the opportunity to plug Worcester players in on a trial basis and see how they perform and how they gel. From the very start of the season, we’ve seen at least one Worcester player on the bench during any given game. For me, it has only helped to strengthen my respect for Worcester as I have been hugely impressed with our AHL team.

Throughout the season, we have had the privilege of getting to know some of our rookies. Five of them have made appearances during the regular season so far and it has become evident that the depth in the Sharks roster is impressive enough to have any professional hockey team shaking in their skates. All five of these guys possess something special and something unique that they have brought to the Sharks’ bench.


Lukas Kaspar (43) – the first Worcester Shark to be recalled to San Jose for the regular season. He played his first game on October 9th in the Sharks home opener against Anaheim and while he didn’t register a point in the game he did catch a 2 minute high-sticking penalty. It wasn’t until two games later, in Los Angeles, that Lukas would make his presence known on the Sharks roster. With a picture perfect crossbar “ping”, he scored the game winning goal as well as the only goal that night.

Brad Staubitz (59) – recalled for the October 17th game at Anaheim, Brad showed both the Sharks and the Ducks what he is all about when he registered a five minute fighting major in his first NHL shift. McLellan knew his scrappiness is what they needed against the Ducks and Brad did not disappoint. He doesn’t hesitate to defend his teammates and has stood up to both Dion Phaneuf and Jordin Tootoo during his second stint with San Jose. Brad Staubitz has been a big part of establishing the Sharks as a physically dominant team this season.

Jamie McGinn (64) – was recalled for the October 28th game against Pittsburgh, but did not register any points. It wasn’t until the next game; October 30th at Detroit that Jamie found his groove. Scoring the second goal for San Jose, Jamie’s goal put the Sharks ahead 2-1. Jamie also tallied an assist on the game winning goal of the night. His speed and ability to find the net makes Jamie a great asset to the Sharks offensively. I don’t care who you are, it’s got to feel good to score your first NHL goal against the defending Cup Champions.

Riley Armstrong (40) – While he was only called up to the big club for two games so far, Riley’s November 29th season debut was a proud moment for him being as he was called upon to fill in for Jonathan Cheechoo. During his next game with the Sharks, December 2nd against Toronto, Riley registered a 2 minute hooking penalty…but that didn’t stop San Jose fans from embracing him. Above one of the sections in the upper bowl, a hand made sign devoted to Riley encouraged everyone to take notice of the fresh, eager talent on the ice. San Jose cannot wait to have him back again.

Tom Cavanaugh (47) – called up for the December 4th game against Columbus. He tallied his only NHL point of this season on Jeremy Roenick’s goal against the Edmonton Oilers on December 6th. The Sharks went on to lose in OT but Cavanaugh’s point production thus far does not do him justice…when you watch him play you see how devoted he is to getting a win. He does the dirty work. You see him fighting for the puck in the corners and behind the net. You see him out on the forecheck. He creates space for his teammates which is one of the reasons he is so valuable to San Jose.

Let’s not forget…
Thomas Greiss (1) – Greiss has not played in goal for us yet this season…because he hasn’t had to. While he was called up on November 8th (along with Brad Staubitz) because Nabokov was injured, his duty was to serve as back-up to the back-up. Brian Boucher stepped in as number one, and Greiss took the number two spot. It’s got to be a reassuring feeling for San Jose to know that they have so much depth in net.

One could definitely say that the guys mentioned above have had a lot to do with where the Sharks are sitting in the point standings. Not that they have scored crazy amounts of goals, or tallied numerous assists, but that their confidence and courage to do whatever their coach asks of them keeps their teammates’ spirits high. Confidence in their coach and confidence in one another is what creates chemistry…and chemistry creates wins.

Now, while it may not make the top of your list of things to do for the New Year, I would strongly urge you to get to know your Affiliate teams…

Many fans don’t take the time to realize what an impact our “farm” teams have on the big clubs, but when injury plagues a team, it’s up to the rookies and prospects to step up their game and keep our teams in it…but by far the most amazing thing about following the AHL has been watching these guys grow. Watching their skills and talents evolve, watching their hunger and intensity deepen.

To watch a young player on NHL ice for the first time is to see the love of the game in it’s purest form.

The way hockey was intended.