TIMO MEIER TO MAKE PRO DEBUT WITH ‘CUDA FRIDAY
Oct 26, 2016
San Jose, CA – At 6-0 and 215 lbs, Timo Meier has ideal NHL size. Add on world-class ability and it’s no wonder the San Jose Sharks made him their top draft selection in the 2015 NHL draft (9th overall). Rarely has a Sharks prospect had this much hype entering his first pro game as Meier is schedule to do Friday, but two huge factors play into it. One, the Sharks top developmental club, the San Jose Barracuda, now plays in the same building, so media is finally able to see the future before it arrives with the big club, and two, before Meier, the Sharks had not selected within the top 10 since 2007. The team took Logan Couture in the first round (9th overall).
After nearly a month on the shelf with mononucleosis, Meier is feeling 100% and ready to make his pro debut for the Barracuda on Friday against the Bakersfield Condors. His first game action since playing in the Colorado Avalanche Rookie Showcase for the San Jose Sharks against the Anaheim Ducks on September 19.
On Tuesday, following his first full-contact practice since his diagnosis, Meier told reporters, “I feel great, and I can’t wait to get out there. I feel like we have a really good team, I think we can really achieve a lot.”
Meier admitted he lost roughly 10 pounds this past month, but is now back to his normal weight of 215 lbs.
Head Coach Roy Sommer mentioned Meier could have been good to go against Ontario, but for precautionary reasons the organization thought it would be best to hold out the forward for another week, avoiding a lengthy bus trip to Orange County and back.
Friday will be Meier’s first non-exhibition action since his final game of his junior career on March 29, a 3-2 overtime loss to the London Knights (OHL) in the Memorial Cup final as a member of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. Meier began his final year of junior hockey in 2015-16 with the Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL) where he scored 36 points (11-25-36) in 23 games, with 22 penalty minutes and a plus-seven rating. The Mooseheads shipped their captain, Meier, to the Rouyn-Noranda as the trade deadline expired. Meier flourished with his new team, claiming a Presidents Cup for winning the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) title while scoring 51 points (23-28-51), 24 penalty minutes and a plus-22 rating.
Meier will join a Barracuda team loaded with talented Sharks draft selections including Mirco Mueller (2013), Nikolay Goldobin (2014), Danny O'Regan (2012), Joakim Ryan (2012), Kevin Labanc (2014), Rourke Chartier (2014), Alex Schoenborn (2016), Julius Bergman (2014) and Adam Helewka (2015). Three other players, signed as free agents, ad to an already skilled group, forward Marcus Sorensen, defenseman Tim Heed and goaltender Mantas Armalis.
After a dramatic 5-4 overtime win on the road against the Ontario Reign this past Saturday, the Barracuda are now 1-1 on the year as they head into their home opener this Friday, October 28. Tickets are still available for both Friday and Saturday and can be purchased at SJBarracuda.com/tickets or by calling 408.999.5757.