What to Watch For Tonight: Young San Jose Sharks Trek to Calgary
Jayden Halbgewachs and Sasha Chmelevski
Jayden Halbgewachs and Sasha Chmelevski have battled all preseason long. After successful showings at the Vegas Rookie Faceoff and the at the main training camp practices, the two much-hyped forwards finally get a chance to compete in tonight’s tilt with the Flames.
Halbgewachs played tremendously in the Rookie Faceoff, collecting two assists in two games over the four-day stretch in Vegas. The young left winger effectively embodies the position as a dynamic attacker, bursting with speed and unloading with a laser-like shot.
The 21-year-old native of Emerald Park, Saskatchewan gets his first test of the preseason and has some big skates to fill, seeking a leadership role within the San Jose Barracuda. Last season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League, Halbgewachs recorded 70 goals and 59 assists in 72 games played, both of which set career-highs.
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Donning the #89 teal sweater, the former number of Sharks left winger Mikkel Boedker, Halbgewachs seeks to prove he can compete at the NHL level in his debut tonight.
On the other side, Sasha Chmelevski makes his preseason debut on the right wing for the San Jose Sharks. Chmelevski possesses a great hockey sense and puck-handling abilities as he is able to enter the offensive zone and create space to get clear-cut shots on goal.
From Huntington Beach, California, the 19-year-old forward has spent the last three years on the Ottawa 67’s. During the 2017-2018 season, Chmelevski posted 76 points in 68 games for the 67’s, earning the call up to the Barracuda where he tallied three goals and an assist in six games. His late surge served as a substantial force lifting San Jose to the AHL playoffs.
Chmelevski has also played at the international level, joining the U.S. National U17 and U18 Team. This allowed the Sharks’ 2017 sixth-round draft pick to toughen up to fierce competition against some of the strongest budding stars in the sport.
Look out for Chmelevski and Halbgewachs as these two dynamic power forwards skate tonight amidst the swarming young talent of the Sharks.