Sharks Ice should be filled with both anxious spectators and the sweet sounds of sticks and skates on Saturday as the San Jose Sharks hit the ice for their first full day of training camp. The camp schedule is condensed this year, meaning every practice and scrimmage will take on added importance for the NHL regulars preparing for a Stanley Cup season as well as those trying to prove they belong in the big leagues. This might be the longest week of the year but we’ll get you through it with a daily dose of camp previews, highlighting some of the things to watch for when professional hockey returns to the Bay Area this weekend.
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There are going to be a number of position battles waged over the next three weeks, and while most will determine fourth liners or seventh defensemen one of them is going to take on much greater importance for a former Sharks winger. Jeff Friesen will be battling for his career, fighting to reclaim his place in a league that left him for dead. If you thought Roenick’s resurgence was an impressive story last season, seeing Friesen suit up in teal would be nothing short of a resurrection.
Of course, if Friesen hopes to become this season’s Lazarus he’ll have to earn it with a strong showing at training camp. The Sharks don’t have many roster spots available, and don’t have the salary cap space to dole out sympathy contracts based on either reputation or previous service to the franchise. Not only that, but some expect the Sharks to contend for the Stanley Cup this season. Sure Friesen might be able to crack the roster in Atlanta or Los Angeles, but he’ll have to prove he can play at a consistently high level to stick in San Jose.
A first-round pick of the Sharks in 1994, Friesen ranks third in all-time Sharks scoring (350) and many fans have fond memories of his powerful shot and nose for the net. Unfortunately, injuries contributed to his downfall over the last two years and premature retirement seemed to be a cruel end for a player with over 500 career points. Friesen turned 32 last month, and anybody who saw him flying during Captain’s Ice scrimmages knows he’s still got a lot left before he hangs up the skates and walks away permanently.
Friesen's once-blinding blinding speed has probably been downgraded to 20/80 vision speed, but he still has a deceptive quickness and a wicked backhand in close. Entering camp on an invitation tryout, he’ll get a fair shot and you can expect him to be one of the most intense, hard-working players on the ice each day. Success would ensure Friesen a roster spot on one of the top teams in the Western Conference, while failure would mean polishing up the resume and seeking out his next hockey home.
Come down to the rink this weekend to see inexperienced prospects sharing the ice with NHL superstars. Note the impact a new coaching staff has on the Sharks as they attempt to get the team over the hump. Enjoy the sights and sounds of hockey from a vantage point against the glass, without the commercial breaks or the hefty price tag. But make sure you also keep a close eye on the veteran wearing #13, returning to Shark-infested waters and fighting to keep his career afloat in the place where it all began.
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