San Jose Sharks Split Pair Of Rookie Games Against Anaheim
The San Jose Sharks hosted a pair of rookie games against the Anaheim Ducks over the weekend, as top prospects from each organization squared off against one another. The Sharks and Ducks split the two games, with San Jose claiming a 4-1 victory at SAP Center on Saturday, Sept. 12, while Anaheim answered back the following day with a 5-2 victory at Sharks Ice in San Jose.
The game on Saturday was part of the San Jose Sharks second annual Fan Fest, and the Sharks rookies put on a show for the home faithful. Leading the charge for the Sharks were some of their best prospects – Nikolay Goldobin, Joonas Donskoi and Rourke Chartier – as each scored, including a pair of goals by Donskoi.
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Donskoi, who is an older prospect at 23-years-old, is one rookie who could push for a roster spot with the Sharks in training camp. Donskoi was signed by the Sharks as a free agent in May, and was a great find by general manager Doug Wilson. Last season with Karpat in the Finnish League, Donskoi registered 49 points (19 goals and 30 assists), while being named the league’s playoff MVP after scoring six goals and 16 assists with a plus-15 rating.
In speaking of Donskoi’s performance with Curtis Pashelka of the San Jose Mercury News, San Jose Barracuda coach Roy Sommer liked what he saw.
“He was impressive,” San Jose Barracuda coach Roy Sommer said of Donskoi. “If he plays like that, I don’t if he’ll be a Barracuda.”
Another prospect who put forth a solid performance was Goldobin, San Jose’s 2014 first-round pick. Goldobin scored goals in both games and continues to display his elite offensive skills.
#SJSharks forward Nikolay Goldobin ties the game in the middle frame. pic.twitter.com/5B8zFFu83n
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) September 13, 2015
Goldobin was impressive a season ago in training camp and the preseason with the San Jose Sharks, being one of the final cuts. After a year of adding strength, Goldobin should be primed to make an impact at the NHL level, and could provide a boost to the Sharks offensive attack that struggled at times last year.
Both Donskoi and Goldobin proved they could dominate against other prospects, but now they will have to prove it against regular NHL players during training camp. It was nice to see San Jose’s top prospects live up their high expectations, and it should be exciting for Sharks fans to be able to get a first look before seeing them in preseason action.
With training camp officially opening on Friday, be sure to keep an eye on Goldobin and Donskoi who could be shining on a nightly basis for the Sharks at SAP Center.
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