One week from today, a drama-filled, if activity-sparse, offseason will finally conclude as the San Jose Sharks begin training camp at their Sharks Ice practice facility. Earlier this evening, the team announced its full camp roster and schedule which you can access in PDF format here. Training camp will begin with practice sessions for both Group A and Group B players (group lists have yet to be released) on September 19th followed by scrimmages between the groups on both the 20th and 21st. Rookie camp (full roster here) is currently underway with Sharks rookies set to take on their Anaheim Ducks counterparts this weekend in Southern California.
Highlights of the camp roster include 18-year-old forward Tyson Baillie, attending camp on a tryout after having been passed over in the 2014 entry draft. What makes him far more intriguing than his fellow undrafted tryouts is that he was a consensus 2014 first-round pick prior to last season before a lower leg injury limited his production down the stretch and he fell off the radar entirely. Still, Baillie managed to score 55 points in 56 games as the number one center for a dominant Kelowna Rockets team after potting 56 points in 67 games the year before. He won’t make the Sharks this year but inviting him to camp is a savvy, no-risk move by the team as it allows them to sign him to an entry-level deal (as ordained by section 8.9bii of the CBA) after camp breaks. He’s essentially a free extra draft pick and a very good one at that; he’d immediately become one of the organization’s top 10 or 15 prospects if signed.
Taylor Fedun is another under-the-radar name to keep an eye on. Signed as a free agent by the Sharks after the Edmonton Oilers opted not to tender him a qualifying offer, Fedun has overcome a lot just to be playing professional hockey and is coming off a terrific season for Oklahoma City in the AHL. The 26-year-old defenseman scored 10 goals and 38 points in 65 games for the Barons last season in addition to two goals in four games with the Oilers. He’s a bit undersized but by all accounts is a solid puck-mover who really excelled in the minors and is ready for the next step. Don’t be surprised if he takes that step with a solid showing in camp, particularly if 19-year-old top prospect Mirco Mueller struggles.
Hockey season is almost here. We’ll have plenty of coverage leading up to camp next week.
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