“Fearsome Young Sharks” Prospect Profile – J.P. Anderson

Photo courtesy of Alex Zimmermann {@Alex_Z_Sharkie}

On Sept. 21, 2010, San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced the Sharks had signed unrestricted free agent goalie J.P. Anderson to an entry-level contract.

“We really like what J.P. has shown us and think he has tremendous upside,” said Wilson in a press release on the Sharks website.  “We like that he will continue to develop under Mississauga General Manager/Head Coach Dave Cameron and we will be monitoring his progress.”

Born in Toronto, Ont., Anderson was selected by the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors in the second round {30th overall} of the 2008 Ontario Hockey League {OHL} Priority Selection after having a solid season with the Toronto Marlboros of the Greater Toronto Hockey League {GTHL}.  In 19 games played with the Marlboros, Anderson allowed only 23 goals for a 1.21 goals-against average and recorded seven shutouts.

“I had a good idea that I’d probably make the team if I worked hard,” said Anderson in an interview with Gary McCarthy for an Oct. 2008 mississauga.com article.  “They {majors} told me there was a position open and they didn’t have a lot in their system.  They told me to come to camp ready to play.”

Only 16-years old at the start of the 2008-09 OHL season, Anderson was expected to backup and take the load off of starting goaltender Chris Carrozzi, who appeared in 47 of the Majors’ 68 games in 2007-08.  What Anderson didn’t expect was that he would be playing in the Majors’ first three games.

“I guess starting the first game was a given because Chris was still at the NHL Training Camp,” said Anderson in the McCarthy article.

Anderson made his OHL debut on Sept 18, 2008, in a 3-1 loss to the Barrie Colts.  Carrozzi, back from NHL Training Camp, was in net for the Majors’ second game against the Peterborough Petes and was pulled after allowing three first period goals.  Anderson took over in net at the start of the second period and allowed one goal as the Majors fought back for a 7-4 win.  The next night, Anderson was back in net and went the distance in a 6-4 win over the Kingston Frontenacs in Kingston.

“I think it’s what I expected it to be,” said Anderson, referring to the jump from minor midget to major junior hockey, in the McCarthy article.  “The game is faster, the players are bigger and stronger and they seem to see things better.”

Appearing in 26 games as a rookie, Anderson posted a 12-12 record with a 2.94 goals-against average.  In 1409 minutes played, Anderson allowed 69 goals on 720 shots for a .904 save percentage.  Anderson’s 2.94 goals-against average was the best amongst OHL rookies, earning him the OHL “Dinty Moore Trophy” and OHL All-Rookie First Team selection honors.  In addition, Anderson helped lead Team Ontario to its second consecutive gold medal at the 2009 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and was named the game’s most valuable player.

For the 2009-10 season, Anderson continued to split time with Carrozzi, appearing in 36 games and registering a 23-10-1 record with a 2.60 goals-against average.  In 2028 minutes played, Anderson allowed 88 goals on 875 shots for a .899 save percentage.  When combined with Carrozzi’s stats, the duo had the lowest team goals-against average in club history and were named the “Dave Pinkney Trophy” winners for allowing the fewest goals {175} in the OHL during the regular season.  In the playoffs, Anderson, registered a 4-5-1 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

With two solid OHL seasons under his belt, Anderson set his sights on the 2010 National Hockey League {NHL} Entry Draft.  Unfortunately for Anderson, he was bypassed to the bewilderment of NHL Central Scouting’s goaltending scout Al Jensen.

“I’m not really sure on that at all,” said Jensen, referring to how Anderson went undrafted, in an interview for a May 2011 foxnews.com article.  “I know watching J.P. for three years what type of goalie he is.  Even from his underage year he was a guy I was going to keep an eye on.  Last year {2010} we had him ranked as a possible prospect to watch for the Draft.  I thought at times he was inconsistent, but overall I still liked the way he played.  I just like the way he covered the net.”

So did the Sharks as within an hour of the NHL Draft concluding, the Sharks contacted Anderson’s agent.

“I though they {Sharks} might take me in the draft,” said Anderson in an interview for an April 2011 Canadian Press article.  “They interviewed me before the draft.  They were interested but I guess they wanted to save their pick from someone else.”

The Sharks invited Anderson to their prospect camp in Penticton, B.C., and told Anderson he was there to earn a contract and he would play in two of the Sharks’ three games at the 2010 Young Stars Tournament. 

“I didn’t expect a whole lot because 90 percent of the guys get sent back empty-handed,” said Anderson in the Canadian Press article.  “But I went into it open-minded and with a view to next year.”

Playing in the first game against Anaheim and the third game against Edmonton, Anderson won both games, posting a 2.00 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.  As a result of his performance, Anderson earned his entry-level contract with the Sharks.

At the conclusion of Sharks prospect camp, Anderson returned to Mississauga for the 2010-11 season with a new found confidence and was named the No. 1 goalie due to Carrozzi graduating to professional hockey.

“I didn’t have to worry about coming into this year about getting drafted or trying to impress scouts or things of that nature,” said Anderson in the foxsnews.com article.  “I just wanted to come into games and focus on my game.”

Focus is exactly what Anderson did as he had 16 wins in his first 18 starts by the end of Nov., was named the Canadian Hockey League’s {CHL} “Goaltender of the Week” for the week of Nov. 1-7 and was one of four goalies invited to Team Canada’s evaluation camp for the 2011 World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

Despite then Majors head coach Dave Cameron being the head coach of Team Canada, Anderson got an early morning phone call informing him that he had been cut from the roster and was returned to the Majors, while Niagara IceDogs goalie Mark Visentin got the nod over Anderson.

“His play got him there and his play took him out of there,” said coach Cameron of Anderson in an interview with Terry Koshan for a May torontosun.com article.  “He’s a mature kid.  His play talks for him.”

Anderson held no hard feelings towards his coach as he agreed he didn’t deserve to make the Canadian world junior team.  “It was a fair opportunity between four guys, and I was just not good enough,” said Anderson in the Koshan article.

On the weekend Visentin and the IceDogs were to play Anderson and the Majors in a showdown between the two goalies, Anderson wasn’t available as he had been called up by the Sharks on an emergency basis for a Jan. 22 game in Minnesota against the Minnesota Wild.

“It was just one of those things that happens,” said coach Cameron in an interview with Roger Lajoie for a Jan. 25 torontosun.com article.  “I watched the Sharks game and saw they had a young call-up and didn’t think anything of it really.  The next day, I get a call and it’s the Sharks telling me they wanted J.P.  What a great opportunity it was for him, although it was really unexpected.”

“I got a text from the coach {Cameron} to call him as soon as possible,” said Anderson in the Canadian Press article.  “I thought ‘I hope I’m not in trouble.’  He explained the situation to me.  I called my mom a couple of hours later, I was on a plane to Minneapolis.”

Once back from his stint with the Sharks, which lasted five days, Anderson won his second CHL “Goaltender of the Week” honor of the season for the week of Jan. 24-30 and was named OHL “Goalie of the Month” for the month of Jan. as he registered a 6-1 record with a goals-against average of 1.30 and a save percentage of .941, both league bests.

As the season wore on, Anderson, who was named to the OHL All-Star Second Team, continued to get stronger as he was named OHL “Player of the Week” for the week ending March 6 as the result of winning all three of his games that weekend, two by shutout. 

In addition, Anderson, along with backup goalie Mikael Audette, helped the Majors secure their second consecutive “Dave Pinkney Trophy” award as the tandem allowed only 170 goals, the league’s fewest since the London Knights allowed 125 in the 2004-05 season.

Anderson finished the regular season with a 38-10-1 record in 51 games played.  Anderson’s goals-against average of 2.36 and six shutouts were league bests while his .911 save percentage was fifth best.

Playing the Belleville Bulls in the first round of the OHL Playoffs, Anderson set two OHL modern-era records when he shutout the Bulls in three consecutive games and established a league playoff mark by going 249 minutes, 11 seconds without allowing a goal {Austen Brassard scored the only Belleville goal in the series on Anderson in Game 1 at 4:13 of the first period}.  Ray Emery held the previous record of 155 minutes, 21 seconds without giving up a goal when he played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in 2000.

“A lot of credit has to go to the guys in front of me,” said Anderson, who stopped 77-of-78 Bulls shots in the Majors four-game sweep of the Bulls, in an interview with Torstar Network for an April mississauga.com article.  “They’re doing a really good job….doing the dirty work, blocking shots, winning battles.  As long as they continue to do that they make my job easier and gives us a better chance to win as a team.”

Anderson was recognized for his hard work when he won his third CHL “Goaltender of the Week” honor of the season for the week ending March 27 after posting a 3-0 record with two shutous, a .033 goals-against average and a .983 save percentage.  In addition, Anderson was named OHL “Goaltender of the Month” for March after posting a 10-0-0-0 record with five shutouts, a .090 goals-against average and a .961 save percentage. 

“I can’t tell you how many times he’s saved my butt when I make a mistake,” said Majors defenseman Brett Flemming of Anderson in the Torstar Network article.  “To know that he’s back there gives you confidence and all the guys on the team will tell you the same thing.”

“He’s very competitive obviously, but he’s always 100 percent focused and he always keeps his emotions under control,” said Majors’ goaltending coach Jon Elkin of Anderson in the Canadian Press article.  “There are times when the importance of a situation brings out the most in someone but he’s pretty steady.”

Sweeping the Sudbury Wolves in the semi-finals and defeating the IceDogs in five games in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Majors reached the OHL Championship Finals, where they met the Owen Sound Attack.  Despite having a 3-2 series lead, the Majors were defeated by the Attack in a thrilling seven game series.  Anderson finished the OHL Playoffs with a 15-5 record with four shutouts to go along with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage.

With an automatic entry into the 2011 Memorial Cup as the tournament host, the Majors faced off with the Attack, the Kootenay Ice {Western Hockey League champions} and the Saint John Sea Dogs {Quebec Major Junior Hockey League champions} in the round-robin tournament to determine the champion of the CHL.

After losing their first game to the Sea Dogs, 4-3, the Majors won their next three game to reach the Memorial Cup Finals, where they were defeated by the Sea Dogs again, this time by the score of 3-1.  For the tournament, Anderson registered a 3-2 record with a 2.02 goals-against average with a .929 save percentage.

To add insult to injury, Anderson, for all he accomplished during the 2010-11 season, was not voted the top goaltender in the OHL as he finished second in the balloting to Visentin.

At the Majors’ season ending banquet on June 18, Anderson was the recipient of the Father Daniel Zorzi Award, which according to the Majors’ website, is the most prestigious award someone can achieve.

Named after Father Zorzi {1960-2009}, who was President of St. Michael’s College School, the award is presented to the Majors player who “best displays goodness, discipline and knowledge on and off the ice; gives back to his team and will do anything for his teammates; works hard both on and off the ice and contributes to the Mississauga community.”

Expected to return to the Majors for the 2011-12 season, Anderson will continue to show that he thrives under pressure

“I don’t try to change anything,” said Anderson in the Canadian Press article.  “I try to keep everything the same and not over-react.  But I think some excitement naturally takes over and it elevates you.  Anyone who competes in sports wants to play in the big game, the big moment, whether it’s a goal medal game, the playoffs or Game 7 of the final.  You want that opportunity.”

HIGHLIGHTS

J.P Anderson 2010-11 home opener  {Courtesy of YouTube user “chadh999”}
Highlights of the Majors’ 2010-11 home opener against the Windsor Spitfires

J.P. Anderson vs. Brandon Foote  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Anderson drops the gloves for a goalie fight against Foote Guelph Storm on Dec. 5, 2010.

*Videos and information were used from sharks.nhl.com, www.cbc.ca, www.mississauga.com, www.hockeydb.com, www.hockeysfuture.com, www.torontosun.com, www.ontariohockeyleague.com, www.foxnews.com, www.stmichaelsmajors.com, www.eliteprospects.com, www.insidetoronto.com and www.youtube.com for this post entry.*

“Fearsome Young Sharks” Prospect Profile – Justin Sefton

Photo courtesy of Alexander Zimmermann {@Alex_Z_Sharkie}

With the 89th overall pick in the third round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks selected defenseman Justin Sefton of the OHL Sudbury Wolves.

“I like to pattern myself after guys like {Dion} Phaneuf {of Toronto} and {Philadelphia‘s Chris} Pronger,” said Sefton in an interview with Tony Khing for a June 25 article on the Sharks website.  “I’m a big physical guy.  I like to move the puck quick with good hard passes.  I’m working on my speed to get my game quicker.”

Originally from Thunder Bay, Ont., Sefton knew at an early age that hockey was in his heart and didn’t hesitate to choose the game over soccer.

“When I was younger, watching a couple of games on television, I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” said Sefton in an interview with Patrick Demers for a 2009 Sudbury Star article.  “I wanted to be the one playing on television.”

At age 11, Sefton was noticed by a few people and offered a chance to play hockey in western Canada, an opportunity that Sefton pounced on.  After a season in western Canada, Sefton played in Las Vegas, Duluth and Minneapolis.  

Rather than return home to Thunder Bay at the conclusion of his time in Minn., Sefton took his talents to the highly regarded Athol Murray College of Notre Dame of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League in order to avoid costly off-ice distractions.

“Coming from Thunder Bay, people think of the Staal family,” said Sefton in an interview with Ryan Kennedy for an Oct. 2008 thehockeynews.com article.  “It’s a great place to be, but there are issues that I was glad to get away from, too – gangs and things like that.”

Located in the village of Wilcox, Saks. {population 200-plus}, and famous for producing NHLers such as Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, Rod Brind’Amour and Curtis Joseph, Notre Dame provides rigid structure to teens such as Sefton with a three-pronged mandate that focuses on spirituality, education and hockey.

“Our college is bigger than the town, it’s what kids do here,” said Hounds coach and Director of Hockey Development Del Pedrick in the Kennedy article.  “It allows them to focus; there’s no mall, no 7-11 – it’s a bit of a throwback, just a nice prairie town.”

In addition to the rigors of hockey practice and attending classes, Sefton’s typical days at Notre Dame included hitting the gym after school, participating in mandatory study period after dinner, and hanging out at the rink until curfew, which was 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on weekends.

As a result of spending countless hours in and around the ice at Notre Dame, Sefton developed an all-around game that included shot-blocking, scoring and punishing anyone who crossed him.

Sefton’s two years at Notre Dame was highlighted by the Hounds winning the Telus Cup Canadian midget AAA Championship in 2009.

“That was, so far, my biggest accomplishment,” said Sefton in the Demers article.  “That taught me the drive and effort it took to win a championship.  It was a very emotional moment for us guys.  As a young team, we put our heads together and we pulled off what we’ve been working on all season.  We all had the same goal, from the players to the coaching staff right to the bus driver.”

A week after finishing final exams at Notre Dame, Sefton flew from Thunder Bay to Sudbury to be officially introduced to the Sudbury Wolves, who drafted Sefton fifth overall in the 2009 OHL Draft.

Lacking a solid defensive unit on the blue line at the time, Sefton’s size and physical play made him an easy selection for the Wolves, who were shocked that Sefton was still available at the fifth pick.

“We feel really fortunate that we have selected him in the first round and have a chance to bring him to Sudbury,” said then Wolves assistant coach Bryan Verreault in the Demers article.  “He’s a player that’s really going to help us and his teammates.”

In his rookie season for the Wolves, Sefton registered seven points on one goal and six assists in 65 games played to go along with 83 penalty minutes.  Unfortunately, the Wolves 2009-10 season ended on a downer as they were swept in the first round of the OHL Playoffs by the top seeded Barrie Colts.  While disappointed, Sefton used the four game sweep as a learning experience.

“We played Barrie six times during the season and only won once – which is a little discouraging,” said Sefton in an interview with The Mayor for a Sept. 2010 hockeyindependent.com article.  “We were clearly the underdogs.  I just tried to keep my composure and take it all in.  I learned as the playoffs go on the games only get harder.  You can’t take a shift off.  If you do, you’re going to get scored on or something bad is going to happen.”

Entering the 2010-11 season as a top prospect for the NHL Draft, Sefton took several large strides in his game that saw him register a career high 11 points on a career five goals and six assists in 66 games played while excelling as a shutdown defenseman alongside defensive partner Frank Corrado, who was drafted in the fifth round {150th overall} by the Vancouver Canucks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

“Yeah, when there’s only a few minutes left and the coach gives you that tap on the shoulder and says, ‘Get going,’ that’s a great feeling,” said Sefton in an interview with Ben Leeson for a June 23 Sudbury Star article.

A major reason for Sefton’s breakout season was that he felt he became a more well-rounded defenseman.

“I learned to pick my spots better, learned to make a better first pass,” said Sefton in the Leeson article.  “I think I was calmer with the puck and learned to show more poise, which you need if you want to make the next level.”

On a team that lacked grit and genuine tough guys, Sefton emerged as the Wolves physical force as he led all Wolves with 124 penalty minutes.

“We were a bit of a young team with a lot of young guys,” said Sefton in the Leeson article.  “We had Marcus Foligno {captain}, but you want a guy like him on the ice.  You don’t want him to have to do that all the time.  And you want the other older guys, like Mike Lomas and Eric O’Dell, on the ice, too.  I didn’t go looking for it, but if it has to be done, then it has to be done.”

Sefton’s hard work paid off as he cracked the NHL Central Scouting final rankings of North American skaters {89th} released in April after being passed over in both the preliminary and mid-term rankings which were released in Nov. and Jan. respectively.

“It’s nice to see that hard work pay off,” said Sefton in the Leeson article.  “Sure, I wish I was higher but you take what you can get and try to learn from whatever mistakes you made.”

Sefton’s hard work and improvement didn’t go unnoticed by the Wolves as he was the recipient of the Gord Ewin Most Improved honours award at the team luncheon on April 14.

Expected to return to the Wolves for the 2011-12 season along with fellow teammates and close friends Michael Sgarbossa {another Sharks prospect} and Corrado, Sefton told Leeson he has big expectations of himself and the team.

“I think this will fire all of us up even more, to comeback and put up big points as a team and work toward winning a championship in Sudbury.”

HIGHLIGHTS

Justin Sefton knocks out David Broll  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with David Broll of the Soo Greyhounds and knocks him out!  March 1, 2011.

Justin Sefton fights Mike Halmo  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Mike Halmo of the Owen Sound Attack on Jan. 16, 2010.

Justin Sefton fights Robert Farmer  {Courtesy of YouTuber user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Robert Farmer of the Ottawa 67’s on Sept. 25, 2010.

Justin Sefton fights Tom Wilson  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Tom Wilson of the Plymouth Whalers on  Nov. 5, 2010.

Justin Sefton fights Derek Schoenmakers  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Derek Schoenmakers of the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors on Dec. 17, 2010.

Justin Sefton fights Stephon Thorne  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Stephon Thorne of the Brampton Battalion on Dec. 19, 2010.

Justin Sefton fights Michael Latta  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Michael Latta of the Guelph Storm on Jan. 29, 2011.

Justin Sefton fights Derek Mathers  {Courtesy of YouTube use “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Derek Mathers of the Peterborough Petes on Feb. 5, 2011.

Justin Sefton fights Craig Hottot  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JoeKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Craig Hottot of the Sarina Sting on Feb. 21, 2011.

Justin Sefton fights Austen Brassard  {Courtesy of YouTube user “JimKorn20”}
In this video clip, Sefton drops the gloves with Austen Brassard of the Belleville Bulls on March 19, 2011.

*Videos and information were used from sharks.nhl.com, www.hockeyindependent.com, www.thehockeynews.com, www.thesudburystar.com, www.hockeydb.com and www.youtube.com.*

“Fearsome Young Sharks” Prospect Profile – Michael Sgarbossa

Photo courtesy of Alex Zimmermann {@Alex_Z_Sharkie}

On Sept. 21, 2010, San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced the team signed unrestricted free agent forward Michael Sgarbossa to an entry-level contract.

“We have been watching Michael for a while now and he showed a glimpse of what we feel he is capable of at the YoungStars Tournament,” said Wilson in a press release announcing the Sgarbossa signing on the Sharks website.

Described by hockeysfuture.com as a “lithe and agile skater with quick hands and great offensive instincts,” Sgarbossa was selected in the third round {54th overall} of the 2008 Ontario Hockey League {OHL} Draft by the Barrie Colts.  In his rookie campaign for the Colts, Sgarbossa registered 43 points on 10 goals and 33 assists to go along with 43 penalty minutes in 67 games played.

Avoiding the sophomore slump, Sgarbossa registered 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists in the Colts first 19 games of the 2009-10 season before being traded along with defenseman Ryan O’Conner to the Saginaw Spirit for defensemen Nick Crawford and T.J. Brodie.  Over the course of the next 48 games for the Spirit, Sgarbossa registered 32 points on 13 goals and 19 assists to go along with 49 penalty minutes.

Prior to the start of the 2010-11 OHL season, Sgarbossa was invited to the Sharks rookie camp and appeared in two of the Sharks three games at the 2010 YoungStars Tournament in Penticton, B.C., from Sept. 12-16.  Sgarbossa finished second overall in scoring for the tournament, registering four points on three goals and one assist, including a hat trick against Edmonton on Sept. 15.

After the YoungStars Tournament, Sgarbossa returned to Saginaw in time for the team’s season opener in Kitchner and continued his hot scoring streak by registering 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists in the Spirits first 26 games.

Unfortunately, Sgarbossa was made expendable when Spirit General Manager Todd Watson traded Sgarbossa and 17-year olds Alex Racino and Frank Schumacher to the Sudbury Wolves for John McFarland and Ben Chiarot in a blockbuster trade on Dec. 9, 2010.

“When I heard about the trade, I was shocked,” said Sgarbossa in an interview with Ben Leeson for a Dec. 2010 Sudbury Star article.  “There hadn’t been any rumors, then they called me in and told me I was going to Sudbury.”

Wolves General Manager and President Blaine Smith told Mackenzie Liddell in a March 2011 article for tsn.daytondailynews.com that Sgarbossa had always been high on the organization’s radar.

“He {Sgarbossa} was always one of those top players that if the opportunity came around we were very interested in trading for him,” said Smith.  “When Saginaw contacted us about John, we made it clear to them that if we’re looking to move a player of his quality, we would certainly be looking for a player like Michael in return.”

After spending two season fighting for ice time on deep teams in Saginaw and Barrie, Sgarbossa flourished as the Wolves go-to-guy by registering 62 points in 37 regular season games {1.68 points per game} on 29 goals and 33 assists.  In addition, Sgarbossa was named OHL Player of the Month for the March after tying for the league lead with 27 points on 10 goals and 17 assists in 13 games {eight of which were multi-point games} and recorded a league high plus/minus rating of +15.

“In Saginaw,” I never thought I was playing my role,” said Sgarbossa in Liddell’s article.  “I was more of a two-way defensive player.  When I came here they told me right away what they wanted me to do and I became more of a scorer.”

Score is exactly what Sgarbossa did as he registered 12 points on four goals and eight assists in the Wolves shocking four-game sweep of the Eastern Conference’s second-place team, the Ottawa 67’s, in the first round of the OHL Playoffs, highlighted by a career high six point game with a goal and five assists in an 8-7 overtime win in game one.  Sgarbossa capped the series off with a two-goal effort in the series clinching 5-3 win.

Sgarbossa finished with 14 points on five goals and nine assists in the Wolves eight OHL Playoff games as they were swept out in the second round by the top seeded Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors.

At the Wolves season ending awards luncheon on April 14, Sgarbossa led all winners with four awards, including the Bill Plaunt Top Scorer award, the Molson Cup three-star award, the Ken Burgess Playoff MVP award and the Most Goals award.

“He gave us that top-line threat and gave us more depth,” said Wolves head coach Trent Cull in an interview with Leeson for an April 2011 Sudbury Star article.  “He fit right into that role really well for us and opened up some room for other guys.  We had hoped he would do well.  That’s why we were enticed by the trade.  But he did exceed our expectations.”

Expected to return to the Wolves for the 2011-12 season, Sgarbossa will be taking his talents on the road this summer along with fellow Sharks prospect Freddie Hamilton as they have been invited to the Canadian national junior team’s summer development camp from Aug. 3-7 in Edmonton and Fort McMurray.

“We are very proud of Michael and wish him success in his pursuit of a roster spot on Team Canada,” said Smith in a team press release.  “Michael is a very dynamic offensive talent and has developed into a very dependable two-way player, as well.  We know Michael will represent himself and the Sudbury Wolves organization very well.”

HIGHLIGHTS

Michael Sgarbossa two-goal game for Saginaw  {Courtesy of YouTube user “Spiritvideoclip”}
In this video clip which has no sound, Sgarbossa scores two goals in a Feb. 6, 2010 game against the Erie Otters.

Michael Sgarbossa shootout goal  {Courtesy of YouTube user “Spiritvideoclip”}
In this video clip, Sgarbossa scores a spectacular shootout goal for the Spirit in a Oct. 9, 2010 game against Guelph.  Sgarbossa’s goal starts at the 2:00 mark of the clip.

Michael Sgarbossa scores against Erie  {Courtesy of YouTube user “Spiritvideoclip”}
In this video clip, Sgarbossa scores for the Spirit in a Nov. 12, 2010, game against the Erie Otters.  Sgarbossa’s goal starts at the 0:40 second mark of the clip.

Michael Sgarbossa scores against Brampton  {Courtesy of YouTube user “Spiritvideoclip”}
In this video clip, Sgarbossa scores a power play goal for the Spirit in a Nov. 18, 2010 game against the Brampton Battalion.  Sgarbossa’s goal starts at the 1:53 mark of the clip.

Michael Sgarbossa scores against Sarnia  {Courtesy of YouTube user “Spiritvideoclip”}
In this video clip, Sgarbossa scores a backhanded goal for the Spirit in a Nov. 19, 2010, game against the Sarnia Sting.  Sgarbossa’s goal starts at the 3:42 mark of the clip.

Michael Sgarbossa scores against Brampton  {Courtesy of YouTube user “battalionmedia”}
In this video clip, Sgarbossa scores a goal for the Sudbury Wolves in a Jan. 23, 2011, game against the Brampton Battalion.  Sgarbossa’s goal starts at the 1:40 mark of the clip.

Michael Sgarbossa’s six-point night against Ottawa  {Courtesy of YouTube user “KeKeKumba”}
Highlights of Sgarbossa’s six point night {one goal, five assists} in game one of the OHL Playoffs against the Ottawa 67’s.

*Videos and information were used from sharks.nhl.com, www.hockeydb.com, www.sudburywolves.com, www.thesudburystar.com, www.hockeysfuture.com, tsn.daytondailynews.com, www.barriecolts.com, www.saginawspirits.com and www.youtube.com for this post entry.*