Dylan Gambrell, Pioneers, set for Frozen Four

Dylan Gambrell, the Sharks second round selection of the 2016 draft (60th, to be precise), and the University of Denver Pioneers will take on Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish in the semifinals of the Frozen Four in Chicago on April 6. This is a great opportunity for Sharks fans to get a look at a guy who may very well make his way to San Jose in the near future.

Gambrell has taken a step back on the score sheet this year, averaging 1.08 points per game (1.12 in two seasons with the pioneers) but there’s reason to believe shooting percentage is to blame. The sophomore shot at a 15 percent clip last season and that number has dropped down to 9 percent during this campaign. So 17 goals on 109 shots has turned into 11 goals on 119 shots this year.

That’s the Good Take from resident Cawlidge Hawkey expert Maddie Bahr. She knows her stuff a lot better than I do because she actually watches NCAA hockey on a regular basis while I watch highlights and pray the Sharks’ players will end up being good. So, good!

Gambrell has 11 goals and 28 assists this year for the Pioneers who are the No. 1 seed in the Frozen Four. The winner of their contest will face the winner of Harvard and Minnesota-Duluth. The championship game is slated for April 8 on ESPN. Both semifinal games will be on ESPN 2 starting at 3 p.m. PT.

You can read a little more on the Pioneers from SB Nation’s College Hockey to prepare you for next week’s game. Gambrell, while a reach where the Sharks took him, could end up contributing in the next couple of years depending on when he leaves Denver (and on how Chris Tierney and Danny O’Regan develop). He’s an interesting prospect and it’s always nice to get a look at one of these players live.