Blades of Teal
Fansided

San Jose Sharks top 5 prospects from the Vegas Rookie Faceoff

By Michael Gutnick

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: The San Jose Sharks draft Ryan Merkley in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: The San Jose Sharks draft Ryan Merkley in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft on June 22, 2018 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Ivan Chekhovich, 212th overall pick of the San Jose Sharks, poses for a portrait during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 24: Ivan Chekhovich, 212th overall pick of the San Jose Sharks, poses for a portrait during the 2017 NHL Draft at United Center on June 24, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2. Ivan Chekhovich

Ivan Chekhovich strongly presented his case as San Jose’s best rookie forward over the four-day showcase. Participating in all three games, Chekhovich tallied two goals and an assist, and was a driving force during the mid-tournament practice.

More from Blades of Teal

The 19-year-old Russian left-winger scored the first Sharks goal in the opener of the Vegas Rookie Faceoff in the final minute of the first period. Later on, Chekhovich sealed the deal with the fourth San Jose goal as the Sharks earned the first win of the rookie camp.

In the match-up with the host Golden Knights, Chekhovich played an important role on the second forward line, demonstrating his high hockey IQ and a quick wrist shot. His late empty-net goal in the third period stood as the game-winner. Vegas went on to score two more goals after, yet the Sharks held on with the 5-4 victory.

Blossoming late-round draft picks by the San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson have proved to make an early impact in the rookie camps. Chekhovich, McGrew, and Sasha Chmelevski all tallied points.

Chekhovich, a 212th-overall pick by the Sharks in 2017, will soon see time with the San Jose Barracuda, but he’ll stick to juniors with Baie-Comeau Drakkar for the upcoming season.

Home/Analysis