The Sharks just wrapped up their 2025 Rookie Faceoff, winning both of their games over the Kings and Ducks for their second straight sweep of the event. In this article, I will share my individual thoughts on each player and what I observed in the games. I already looked at the forwards, today I will be talking about the defenseman and the Goaltenders.
The Defenseman
Sam Dickinson
Dickinson is one of the Sharks' top prospects, and while he turned it up offensively in the 2nd half of the 2nd game, it was an inconsistent tournament for the top prospect. The decision-making and defensive play were lacking for parts, and he is still showing the same issues he has had in the past. It's one tournament, but he definitely has some work to do in training camp to truly earn a spot with the Sharks this year.
Jake Furlong
Furlong won’t excite many fans, but he is rock solid defensively and was excellent in his own zone for the most part this weekend. It's his defensive play that got him on Team Canada for the U20 World Juniors, and it might get him on an NHL bottom pairing someday in the future.
Haoxi Wang
Wang had a rollercoaster of a rookie tournament. The mistakes are bad, and his positioning was all over the place. But when he has the puck on his stick, it is so enticing to think what he could be if he can iron out the kinks in his game. His size and reach do help him compensate for his lapses in positioning; he covers ground fast. Wang could never figure it out, but there are shades of a 6’6 two-way shutdown defenseman with his incredible physical tools. The OHL is an ideal place for him to continue developing before heading off to Boston College next year.
Luca Cagnoni
Cagnoni only played in one game, but he was the best defender for the Sharks this tournament. His ability offensively and the way he sees the ice are both NHL caliber. He can take over the game on the power play with his vision and shot. The physical side of the game, however, is always going to be a challenge and still needs some work this season if he is going to be a full-time impact NHLer.
Mattias Havelid
Havelid had a solid tournament; his skating looked really good, and he has a really nice shot from range. But these are things he has always shown. The big test for Havelid will be translating his game to pro hockey in the AHL, something he failed to do in the SHL over the past couple of seasons.
The Goaltenders
Joshua Ravensbergen
Ravensbergen was the best of the Sharks' trio of goalies at the tournament. He has incredible athleticism, and he flashed that against the Ducks. He does need to work on tracking and anticipating play, but the bones of a solid goaltender are there.
Matt Davis
Davis had a rough go in Net against the Kings, but was left out to dry by a sloppy defensive start by the Sharks. It's half a game, so not enough sample size to judge much. He should compete for an AHL job, but will likely man the net for the Sharks in the ECHL to start the season.
Christian Kirsch
Kirsch got in the 2nd half of the Kings game and was not tested much. He did let in a goal on an unlucky bounce, but that was not his fault. He is expected to head to the OHL this season to continue his development.