Bordeleau Ready to Dominate AHL

Thomas Bordeleau wants to dominate the AHL.

That’s what the San Jose Sharks organization is looking for from Bordeleau and fellow top prospect William Eklund, before they call either up for good.

“I think they have to be dominant at our level,” San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy told the Mercury News.

The always-confident Bordeleau doesn’t hesitate at those expectations: “My goal has always been to be able to perform and dominate in the NHL. And it starts here. Being able to do it here will translate into starting the process in the NHL.”

So while the 2020 second-round pick was disappointed to get sent down, he’s looking on the bright side: “I want to play, they want me to play. Just getting some good icetime, getting a couple of games with the Cuda could just be good for me. Just keep doing my thing, just working on my all-around game, things will come.”

The Barracuda kick off their season against the Iowa Wild this Friday in Des Moines, which of course, is a far cry from where the San Jose Sharks started things against the Nashville Predators.

The Sharks just got back from Prague, and while Bordeleau didn’t play, he got to spend some quality time with his father Sebastien Bordeleau, who’s a development coach for the Predators, and an old friend.

“It’s such a beautiful city. Walked around, grabbed some food here and there. Saw some old friends, saw Roman a bit,” Bordeleau said.

Roman? As in the Nashville’s 2020 Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi?

The elder Bordeleau played with a teenage Josi on SC Bern from 2006 to 2009.

“I just remember when I was young, my dad was like ‘That kid’s going to be good’ and I was like ‘Oh really? I don’t know, maybe.’ My dad was right,” the younger Bordeleau laughed. “It’s awesome seeing him dominate like that. I just never thought that the guy in my living room and playing mini sticks would be a Norris winner.”

Bordeleau says that’s the first time that he’s seen Josi since his dad played for Bern.

And hopefully, Bordeleau and Josi will see each other again this season, this time in the NHL. The San Jose Sharks and Nashville meet once more this year on Feb. 23.

Living on His Own

There’s one good thing about having a dad who played in the NHL.

Sebastien Bordeleau played for the Montreal Canadians, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, and Phoenix Coyotes from 1995 to 2002.

That’s someone you can look to who’s made some money, and hopefully has learned what to do with it.

So the Bordeleaus are buying an apartment in San Jose, where Thomas can live in season. In the big picture, it’s a sound investment.

“I didn’t really know what else to do with my signing bonus. I didn’t buy something expensive like a car or whatever, so I was like sure, that’s where my money will go.”

You can never go wrong with buying real estate!