Blades of Teal
Fansided

End of the Season San Jose Sharks Prospect Perspective

By Michael Gutnick

TUCSON, AZ - APRIL 27: San Jose Barracuda left wing Ivan Chekhovich (82) tries to get the puck past Tucson Roadrunners defenseman Kyle Capobianco (23) during a hockey game between the Chicago Wolves and Tuscon Roadrunners on April 27, 2018, at Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ - APRIL 27: San Jose Barracuda left wing Ivan Chekhovich (82) tries to get the puck past Tucson Roadrunners defenseman Kyle Capobianco (23) during a hockey game between the Chicago Wolves and Tuscon Roadrunners on April 27, 2018, at Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. (Photo by Jacob Snow/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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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) /

4. Ryan Merkley

From the very moment general manager Doug Wilson and the Sharks staff selected Ryan Merkley as their first-round draft pick (No. 21 overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old defenseman has done everything, including improve on his “attitude” that’s plagued his reputation for a few years now.

Merkley is a dynamic, fleet-footed blueliner who possesses a high hockey IQ with the puck. The Sharks knew he would have the speed and scoring strength to compete with the elite defenseman at his age in the Ontario Hockey League and the results are clearly proving that.

In his third year in the OHL, despite a mid-season trade, Merkley has put up a combined 66 points with the Guelph Storm and the Peterborough Petes. Among the OHL defenseman ranks, Merkley has the third highest point total, yet has also racked up a league-leading 55 assists.

A pivotal puck-moving marksman from the point, Merkley embraces a critical role on special teams, quarterbacking the power play and fending off the waves of penalty kill – which is an area of his ability the Sharks admire at his level of competition.

With a few more years of strength and maturity under his belt, Merkley will be one of the core pieces to the future San Jose Sharks blue line.

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