The summer has been long, hot and very boring. While the World Cup of Hockey has been a bit of a reprieve from the monotony it can't replace the excitement of an NHL season.
Today is the official first day of Fall and the leaves are starting to change color, the air is getting a little crisper and NHL training camps are about to open.
And yes that includes your
San Jose Sharks.
The defending Western Conference Champs kick off the franchises 26th training camp Friday morning with a plethora of bodies, including 36 forwards, 23 defensemen and five goalies.
The roster is a decent mix of veterans infused with a slew of Sharks prospects.
While there shouldn't be too many surprises once the season opens on Oct. 12, there are a handful of roster spots up for grabs.
That always makes for a bit of intrigue, especially when a player like Timo Meier is involved.
Meier is the Sharks first round draft choice from 2015 and the team’s most exciting prospect in years.
From
hockeysfuture.com....
"Long-term his package of skill, determination and size suggests he can be a consistent scoring power forward at the NHL level."
The 19-year-old could be another offensive weapon for an already talented group and would be another big body up front (6' 210 lbs.). He is coming off an excellent season in which he collected 87 points in 52 games while playing for Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJL.
Other training camp notables include free-agent additions, David Schlemko and Mikkel Boedker (Still playing in WC.)
Also, 28 of the 64 players are recent Sharks draft picks. If you can get out to a practice session, I suggest you do. It's always a great way to get to know the new faces, especially the young guys and familiarize yourself with the next wave of great young talent.
Also worth noting...the Sharks will not have a single playing in camp on a PTO. I like hearing that because it means there is enough talent from within to ice a very good hockey team.
Here is the full training camp roster...
Forwards (36): Rudolfs Balcers, Colin Blackwell, Joachim Blichfeld, Mikkel Boedker, Ryan Carpenter, Rourke Chartier, Logan Couture, Joonas Donskoi, Alex Gallant, Nikolay Goldobin, Barclay Goodrow, Noah Gregor, Micheal Haley, Adam Helewka, Tomas Hertl, Nikita Jevpalovs, Kevin Labanc, Jermaine Loewen, Jake Marchment, Patrick Marleau, Jonathon Martin, John McCarthy, Timo Meier, Matt Nieto, Daniel O'Regan, Joe Pavelski, Luke Philip, Alex Schoenborn, Marcus Sorsensen, Joe Thornton, Chris Tierney, Joel Ward, Manuel Wiederer, Matt Willows, Tommy Wingels.
Defensemen (23): Julius Bergman, Justin Braun, Michael Brodzinski, Brent Burns, Jalen Chatfield, Dylan DeMelo, Brenden Dillon, Cavan Fitzgerald, Jason Fram, Tim Heed, Dan Kelly, Paul Martin, Patrick McNally, Jacob Middleton, Mirco Mueller, Tyler Nother, Darren Raddysh, Eric Roy, Jeremy Roy, Joakim Ryan, David Schlemko, Mark Shoemaker, Marc-Edouard Vlasic.
Goalies (5): Mantas Armalis, Aaron Dell, Troy Grosenick, Martin Jones, Jamie Murray.
Most training camp sessions at Sharks Ice will be open to the public. The Sharks will have there first practice on Friday morning with a scrimmage on Sunday. Limited seating is available so get there early.
***
I told you Logan Couture was the best thing since sliced bread.
The Canadians advanced to the semifinals of the WCH and could go all the way..
..probably because John Tortorella is not the coach, but I digress. It's more likely because Couture continues to do his thing for the great white north.
Couture is tied for second in points with 3 (1g 2a) and is making Shark fans everywhere very proud. I look forward to a full and healthy 2016-17 for Cooch.
Thanks for reading,
Steve
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
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