NINE PLAYERS MAKE THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEBUT
by Nicole Tygesen / sjbarracuda.com
Feb 10, 2021
We went nearly 11 months without playing a competitive hockey game—absence truly made our hearts grow fonder for the sport we love. With the season finally underway, a group of first-year prospects made their big professional debuts and got their first taste of professional hockey.
We opened the 2020-21 season by “hosting” the Tucson Roadrunners for a two-game set in the desert. While the outcomes were not in our favor, we still have a lot to be excited about.
2020 DRAFT PICKS, OZZY WIESBLATT, AND TRISTEN ROBINS, SPOTLIGHT
Leading the first-year pros was Sharks draft picks Ozzy Wiesblatt and Tristen Robins. The rookies made their debut as a part of the fourth line along resident tough guy, Jeff Viel. The group proved to be a perfect blend of skill and toughness that seemed to mesh from the first time they hit the ice.
JOHN LEONARD NETS FIRST PRO GOAL
2020 Hobey Baker Award finalist, John Leonard, kicked off his season netting not only his first professional goal but the team’s first goal of the season on Sunday. Did we mention it was unassisted? Leonard didn’t stop there. The following game, he had the primary assist on Joachim Blichfeld’s goal to open up the scoring late in the first period.
BRINSON PASICHNUK GETS FIRST POINT
Fellow NCAA athlete Brinson Pasichnuk made his pro debut on Sunday and didn’t take long to find the scoresheet in Monday’s matchup. Paired with former Roadrunner Robbie Russo a d-combo, Pasichnuk collected his first pro point as he blasted a shot from the left point that Alexander True redirected home.
ALEXEI MELNICHUK GETS THE NOD BETWEEN THE PIPES
Adding to the Sharks goalie depth, Alexei Melnichuk made his North American debut starting in the nets for both games. On Sunday, Melnichuk made 23 saves but suffered the hard-luck overtime loss. On Monday, he let five goals in on 33 shots in a see-saw battle. Melnichuk’s biggest save(s) came on a breakaway by Kevin Roy in Sunday’s first period, denying the former Ducks’ prospect not just his first shot on a breakaway but also the ensuing rebound.
Among the names mentioned above, Zachary Gallant, Joseph Garreffa, Fredrik Handemark, and Jake McGrew all saw game time in Tucson, making their AHL debuts.