STOCKTON, CA – The San Jose Sharks can boost that they’ve had as much success with their drafting and development of talent with nearly 70 percent of their roster from their AHL system. Some of that proof is currently on the roster in the form of Marcel Goc and Joe Pavelski.
Today we take a look at some of the youngsters hoping to join that NHL roster in the near future at the center position with the Sharks.
1. Logan Couture The top rated center prospect for the last two years has been Logan Couture. The 19 year old (6’, 192 pounds) is a native of London, Ontario (Canada). He has been fine-tuning his skills with the Ottawa 67’s (OHL). He’s played in 53 games, and has 27 goals and 41 assists, with 40 penalty minutes. He leads the team in points, assists and goals. He is 15th in the league with points and 14th in assists with a plus 14 rating. The 67’s have already clinched a spot in the playoffs this season. Couture was selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks. 2) Tom Cavanaugh The next two centers on the list have been passing time with the Worcester Sharks (AHL). Tom Cavanaugh was selected in the sixth round of the 2001 Entry Draft (182nd overall), and is older than the rest of our top five list (26 years old). He was called up to San Jose where he played in twelve games, scoring one assist. Cavanaugh is a native of Warwick, Rhode Island and at six feet, 200 pounds fits right in with the Sharks size standards. Cavanaugh has played in 33 games with Worcester and has 11 goals, 15 assists and 27 penalty minutes. 3) Steven Zalewski Zalewski is smaller than the others on our list, but at 5’11″ and 190 pounds, he’s still demonstrating good strength and skills. Zalewski is a 22 year old native of New Hartford, New York and was selected in the 5th round (153rd overall) of the 2004 Entry Draft by the Sharks. Zalewski ranks fourth on the team in points with 11 goals, 21 assists and 18 penalty minutes in 55 games. He took some time to find his game, however coaches have commented on his potential. He’s seen as a two-way player with good instincts. 4) Nick Bonino Bonino is a sophomore at Boston University (Hockey East) and is currently tied for second on the team in points and fourth in the league for assists. Bonino, 6’1″, 190 pounds was drafted by the Sharks in the 2007 Entry Draft in the sixth round. Bonino played in 29 games, amassing 11 goals and 20 assists. He has only 20 penalty minutes and has a plus 15 rating. He has scored eight points in his last five games this season. 5) Tommy Wingels Another center to watch is sophomore Tommy Wingels, with the University of Miami (Ohio, CCHA). Wingels is 6 feet tall, and weighs about 190 pounds. He was selected in the 2008 Entry Draft by the Sharks in the sixth round. He has played in 30 games, and has eight goals, 10 assists and 54 penalty minutes. Contact the author at shellie.lima@prohockeynews.com
