A majority of the top prospects for the San Jose Sharks are back on the ice in San Jose getting ready for the rookie faceoff tournament that starts on Friday. The players were at Sharks Ice today (Sept. 13) getting a feel for one another.
Among the players present was top defensive prospect Shakir Mukhamadullin. He spent most of the summer in San Jose, though he did take about a week to return to Russia to pay his respects to good friend Rodion Amirov. Amirov was a top prospect with the Toronto Maple Leafs who found out in February 2022 that he had a brain tumor. He returned home to Russia where he underwent treatment and recovery. Sadly, Amirov died on Aug. 14, 2023.
“It’s hard for me. I know him from (gestures to knee height) this years, play together,” said Mukhamadullin. “After junior league and national team. Whole time we’re together. Summertime, we go to sea together. It’s hard for me. It’s hard for whole hockey world…my Russian team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, all guys play for him now.
Mukhamadullin said Amirov is always on his mind.
“I play now every game for him, not just me,” said Mukhamadullin. “It’s dream for all players and he want to play in the show too and he had good chance. He have good chance. First round, 15th pick yeah. And, it’s life. It’s life. We don’t when we come…”
Aside from the trip to Russia, Mukhamadullin has been in San Jose since the development camp in July.
“I talk to Evgeni Nabokov and he say it’s better for me,” said Mukhamadullin. “Mike Grier say it’s better for me to stay here because it’s first season here and coach here knows what I need. Still better…All guys say it’s better here.
“I think it’s good for me. I learning more English. My English now a little bit better,” continued Mukhamadullin. “Not like Russian, but it’s not hard because Evgeni Nabokov here and we have one more Russian coach [sic] skills coach.”
He’s found a place to live, though the sticker shock was understandably tough.
“In Russia you have two bedroom it’s like $500 and now you have one bedroom it’s like 2.7…2.5. It’s a big difference,” he said.
But he’s also found some time to enjoy his new home. He’s taken trips to San Francisco and even visited Tahoe one time.
Overall, the transition to San Jose has been smooth and he took the trade from New Jersey in stride.
“It’s part of hockey…I still play better. I’m very happy to be part of this team,” said Mukhamadullin.
“In Utica, I play all of my first games in AHL and it’s a little bit hard for me, different hockey Russia and America,” he continued. “When I come here in April it’s a little bit easier because I have three game and the whole team help me and everything is good. It’s hockey. It’s game. I’m happy.”
Among those that helped him was fellow prospect Daniil Gushchin. The two played together on the Russian national team and Gushchin gave Mukhamadullin a place to stay for his first couple weeks in San Jose.
Mukhamadullin had 10 points in 12 games with the Barracuda to wrap up the season, but he’s not letting it go to his head, calling himself “lucky.” Now, he’s ready for a full season in San Jose.
“It’s a new experience for me. It’s a new step in my life. I am so happy and we’ll work hard and play hard. All guys come here like hungry shark and all guys want to play in the NHL, me too,” said Mukhamadullin.
And he knows what to do if he wants to make the NHL.
“It’s hard work. Play for system. Not play for points. Play for a team,” said Mukhamadullin. “We all have one dream, play in NHL and play in the Stanley Cup.”
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