Well, it’s about a month until the first preseason exhibition game.
But first, there’s the World Cup of Hockey (in Toronto), broadcast on ESPN/2. The preliminary round starts September 20, with the final (best of three) on September 27, 29 and October 1 (if needed).
And yes, there are a few Sharks participating.
- USA: Joe Pavelski (rumored to be named the captain)
- Canada: Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Brent Burns, Joe Thornton, Logan Couture (injury replacement)
- Czech Republic: Tomas Hertl; Milan Michalek (alum), Roman Polak (alum)
- Finland: Joonas Donskoi
- Team Europe: Mikkel Boedker, Christian Ehrhoff (Germany, alum), Thomas Greiss (Germany, alum)
- No Sharks: Team North America, Sweden, Russia
ESPN even has put together a “All Snub” team (including Sharks goalie Martin Jones) that would be pretty good, if playing.
Players will be heading to their respected “country” team’s training camp, opening up on September 5.
Some of players have begun skating in preparation for the World Cup training camps. (And joining other players in town early to prepare for their respective NHL and/or AHL training camps.) Players in San Jose participating in the “Captain’s Skate” the past two weeks have included: Pavelski, Burns, Thornton; Ryan Carpenter, Nikolay Goldobin, Michael Haley, Patrick Marleau, Mirco Mueller. (Plus former Junior Shark Igor Leonenko — invited to NHL St Louis Blues rookie camp, NJ Devil Jon Merrill; and former Sharks Daniel Winnik, Devin Setoguchi, Sena Acolaste.)
Rookie camps will open about September 15. NHL (full) camps should be opening about September 22.
Time to make sure your jersey (or whatever your wear) to games is ready for the upcoming season.
Still, more time to wait until the puck drops (Vlasic sleeps until season opener).
Update: Hertl opted out of participation to further heal his knee.