In our previous update, Adam Raska registered seven points in a five-game week and earned the Sharks Prospect of the Week award, Artemi Kniazev opened up his QMJHL season with eight assists and 10 points in eight games and we noted Fredrik Handemark’s impressive stint with the San Jose Barracuda before being recalled by the Sharks.
Let’s take a dive into this week’s update of our Next Wave report, presented by Kaiser Permanente:
NCAA Frozen Four Tournament
It’s that time of the year again, and this season the Sharks have three prospects who have made the NCAA Ice Hockey Championships. Thomas Bordeleau (Michigan), Scott Reedy (Minnesota) and Jasper Weatherby (North Dakota) are in and set to start the tournament on Mar. 26 (Michigan vs Minn. Duluth; North Dakota vs American Int’l) and Mar. 27 (Minnesota vs Omaha). North Dakota is the #1 seed in the tournament.
Bordeleau finished his freshman season with 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists) in 24 games and was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and named to the Big Ten Second Team and Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Wies Beyond His Years
Our recent Sharks Prospect of the Week winner, Ozzy Wiesblatt, started his 2020-21 WHL season with the Prince Albert Raiders with a three-point night, including the Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Over his first six games, he has recorded three separate multi-point contests, including a three-assist game on Mar. 16. The 2020 first-round selection currently leads his team in assists and points.
Don’t Get Mad, Get Vlad
Vladislav Kotkov opened up his 2020-21 QMJHL season recently and so far through six games, the right winger has amassed 11 points (five goals, six assists) with Saint John. He scored seven points in his first two games, recording a four-point night (one goal, three assists) and the game-winning goal on Mar. 9, and followed it up with a three-point game on Mar. 13 (two goals, one assist). He was named to the QMJHL Team of the Week for the period ending Mar. 14.
Notable players:
- Jonathan Dahlen was named Allsvenskan MVP and is helping Timra earn promotion to the SHL. He finished the season with 71 points (25 goals, 46 assists). His 71 points are tied for fifth all-time in a single season and was his second-consecutive 70-point campaign.
- Danil Gushchin is currently riding a five-game point streak (7g, 4a) and ranked tied for third in goals, tied for fifth in points among USHL skaters
- Adam Raska has recorded at least one point in all but one of his games in the month of March thus far (eight games; 6g, 6a)
- Tristen Robins has six points in his first six games of the season (3g, 3a). He currently ranks tied for second on the team in points, tied for first in goals.
- Artemi Kniazev is currently riding a seven-game point streak (4g, 5a), recording a point in each of his games thus far in March. In total, he has earned at least one point in nine of his 11 games played.
For the full Sharks player report, click here.