Eric Pohlkamp’s hat trick, Michael Misa’s assist highlight Sharks prospect scrimmage, end of development camp
SAN JOSE — Eric Pohlkamp hadn’t scored a hat trick in a while.
“My last hatty was actually in juniors, my second year in Cedar Rapids against Dubuque,” the Sharks’ 21-year-old defenseman prospect said of his special 2022 game. “So it’s been a minute.”
On Thursday, Pohlkamp scored three goals on a bit of a bigger stage as the 2023 fifth-round pick was the star of San Jose’s 2025 prospect scrimmage at Tech CU Arena.
The defenseman who played for Denver during last year’s NCAA season was everywhere, scoring within the scrimmage’s first minute and finishing off his hat trick with a goal in the final moments.
During halftime of the four-period scrimmage, Pohlkamp was singled out by Sharks general manager Mike Grier as a player who stood out during their four-day development camp in San Jose.
“We’ve been around him a couple years now,” Grier said. “He’s got a ton of energy and personality to him, and you can even see it on the ice. He’s taking charge of his team a little bit out there.”
Nonetheless, Pohlkamp isn’t San Jose’s most pro-ready defenseman, and he said he plans to return to Denver and chase a national championship this year while replacing Pioneers star Zeev Buium, a first-round pick by Minnesota in 2024. But with what he showed in his third development camp, he keeps getting closer every year and could be a candidate to join the Barracuda in the spring.
“That’s my goal,” Pohlkamp said. “You want to have a really good season next year. And I’m gonna fill Zeev Buium’s spot, so I’m gonna have some big shoes to fill. I’m super excited for the challenge, and I can’t wait to get back out there.”
The Sharks most pro-ready defense prospect is Sam Dickinson, last year’s No. 11 overall pick. He looked the part on Thursday, making multiple defenders look silly in the offensive zone and holding his own in the defensive zone.
Dickinson’s bid to make the Sharks out of training camp will be one of the more intriguing storylines in September, especially after San Jose just signed two more left-shot NHL defensemen in Dmirty Orlov and Nick Leddy.
“My goal is to be here and play next year,” Dickinson said. “They’re bringing in really good players, saying that this team wants to start winning right away. Nobody wants to lose in this league, so they’re going to bring in the best players they can and ice the best team that they can. I’d like to be a part of the team that they ice come October and November.”
Thursday’s scrimmage also marked the Sharks debut of sorts for No. 2 pick Michael Misa, who got off to a quick start by assisting on Pohlkamp’s first goal. Misa may be headed back to the Ontario Hockey League or college hockey, but for now, he’s remaining focused on following in Macklin Celebrini’s footsteps and making the NHL in his first year.
“The biggest takeaway is to keep improving, keep learning,” Misa said. “Everyone’s so good at the next level. It was a fun three, four days here, and I can’t wait to come back for rookie camp.”
San Jose will have some interesting decisions to make in the fall. Misa looked good playing alongside former Saginaw linemate Igor Chernyshov, who joined the Barracuda late last season and could be on the cusp of an NHL role.
The Sharks’ prospect pool has matured to the point that prospects such as Dickinson will be bumping up against established NHL players for spots in the pecking order. Grier didn’t seem too concerned about that reality.
“If the young guys are ready, I don’t think we’ll block them,” Grier said. “We’ve just got to make sure they’re ready. But when you’re a young team, sometimes you’ve got to get older before you get younger. You’ve got to have some of these older vets around who know the league and had success and are professionals and can handle the daily grind of the NHL.
“So it’s important to have those guys around. And we’ll balance it with those young guys. If those guys are ready, then they’ll play.”