Apr 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes right wing David Moss (18) attempts to pick up a rebound as San Jose Sharks goalie Antti Niemi (31) and defenseman Karl Stollery (3) defend during the third period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Karl Stollery got his chance to crack the San Jose Sharks lineup at the end of the season as their blue line was decimated by injuries.
However, Stollery made a minimal impact in his limited action with the Sharks. Stollery appeared in five games for San Jose and didn’t register a point, while posting a minus-four rating. Granted, the Sharks had little to play for when Stollery was in the lineup, but he wasn’t able to bring anything of substance.
Stollery’s largest amount of playing time came in the season finale, as he logged 22:27 of ice time in San Jose’s 4-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.
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Stollery has spent a majority of his career at the AHL level, primarily with Lake Erie, the development affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. Stollery was acquired from the Avalanche on March 2 for forward Freddie Hamilton. Hamilton was never able to live up to the expectations the Sharks had for him, and San Jose needed the additional defensive help.
Stollery spent most of his time in the Sharks organization at Worcester where he posted decent numbers. In his 14 regular season games there, Stollery registered two goals and four assists with a plus-two rating.
Also, Stollery factored in all four of Worcester’s Calder Cup playoff games against the Hershey Bears. In those four contests, he added one goal and one assist, but was a minus-two as Hershey defeated Worcester three games to one.
Stollery, who stands five-foot-eleven and 180 pounds, is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. If he does resign with San Jose, he would probably be assigned to the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks new development affiliate to provide depth at the AHL-level. Stollery will likely serve as insurance in case anything should happen, but the Sharks will be looking to add more impact defensemen this offseason.
Stollery has now appeared in 12 games throughout his NHL career, and don’t expect that number to rise any time soon with San Jose.