3. Joachim Blichfield
Joachim Blichfield could very well be the next Joe Pavelski.
No, I do not mean serving as the Sharks captain next in line. However, this 20-year-old winger could share a similar fortune the current Sharks captain holds pridefully to this date, steering the ship rightfully to another Stanley Cup run.
Blichfield is the arguably the best prospect as far as statistics goes. He’s out-pacing all young Sharks in the system with 53 goals and 57 assists in 65 games with the Portland Winterhawks. Those impressive marks top all WHL performers.
Along with his team-leading totals and sensational Danish dangling maneuvers, Blichfield dawns an “A” in his third season with Portland. The role of leadership has presented this Sharks hopeful a positive sign of responsibility and character as he continues to mature into a power forward with a remarkable cannon of a shot.
But what Blichfield faces commonly with Pavelski is what NHL teams always try to do – find the sleeper picks late in the draft.
Like Pavelski, the Sharks selected Blichfield in the seventh round (No. 210 overall) of the NHL Draft, although 13 years in advance.
Blichfield’s has built off his experience of playing in Denmark and competing as a teenager on the national team. All of these factors have resulted in has paid off as a highly effective pick for the organization.
Let’s hope Blichfield’s future carries strong because he might just be the one that keeps the Sharks competitive for the next decade.