Sheng Peng
IRVINE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks are back to their winning ways.
Well, their winning Rookie Faceoff ways.
Last year in El Segundo, San Jose, featuring the Sharks debuts of Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith, swept the 2024 Rookie Faceoff, winning all three games.
On Friday, 2025 No. 2 pick Michael Misa made his debut in teal, and the Sharks trounced the Anaheim Ducks 6-3, outshooting their rivals 38-19.
Misa notched an assist on a Collin Graf power play strike, while Cam Lund scored twice, and Mattias Havelid, Quentin Musty, and Luca Cagnoni also scored.
Sam Dickinson spoke post-game about the possibility of playing in the AHL as soon as this year, Misa talked about putting on a San Jose Sharks game uniform for the first time, Musty discussed coming into this season with a chip on his shoulder, and head coach John McCarthy shared his thoughts about Lund leaving the game because of a Will Francis elbow.
But before we get to that, a couple of my thoughts about the performances of some of the Sharks prospects.
Musty really stood out tonight, but honestly, as a “veteran” of these games, he should. To his credit, it was getting off to the right foot to what could be something of a redemption campaign for the 2023 first-rounder.
Misa looked very comfortable as an 18-year-old, in a level of play that might be akin to World Juniors or something like that. There were some older pro players out there too, and Misa fit right in. His pace was excellent. The first real test for him, I think, will be the first training camp scrimmages next week.
Of the other newcomers, I liked Max Heise, I thought he used his size and reach well defensively. Haoxi (Simon) Wang was both exhilarating in his skating (the 6-foot-6 defenseman was especially aggressive jumping up into the play) and a real work in progress with his reads, but that’s to be expected for the project 18-year-old.
Sam Dickinson
Dickinson, on if he’s thinking about the possibility of playing in the AHL full-time this year:
Not really. I think, like a lot of guys who say, ‘I’m focused on the Sharks and making that roster.’ That’s what’s really at the forefront of my mind. For the next little bit, I’ll just worry about that.
Dickinson, on the benefits of playing in the AHL as a youngster:
I think there’s benefits to anywhere you go and play. You take what you can out of whatever you’re given. If that was on the table, I’m sure it could be a beneficial thing. But like I said, I’m worried about making the Sharks roster. That’s at the forefront of my mind for the next little bit. I’m gonna worry about that.
Dickinson, on if he monitored the San Jose Sharks’ veteran defense additions this offseason:
Not much. I think I said it the other day: If I’m gonna make the team, I’m gonna make it by myself. Not worrying about jumping other guys or anything like that. You always want to have the best team you can ice all the time. Whoever the six defenseman you put on the ice are, your goal is to win as many games as possible. I’m hoping that I’m one of those six, and going to help the team win as many games as possible. That’s what’s going through my mind right now.
Michael Misa
Misa, on wearing a Sharks jersey, in game, for the first time:
It felt great. Great organization, so [I’m] just happy to be a part of it. It was a great first game for us. [We’re] moving on to tomorrow.
Misa, on how linemate Igor Chernyshov played tonight:
He looked great today. Just [a] big boy, easy to play with. I’ve had good chemistry with him for the second year now. Just looking to continue that.
Quentin Musty
Musty, on his mindset entering the game.
This is the start of camp for us young guys. You want to make an impression. You want to play with pace and passion. That’s what I was trying to do tonight, finishing hits, bringing energy. It was nice to get one early like that, set the tone for the game. [Building] habits, trying to do the right things out there.
Musty, on blocking a shot in the first period:
As rough as the year was last [season] with injuries, I had a new coach [in Sudbury,] great coach, [who] really helped me defensively and [with] being in the right areas for that. Sacrifice for the team. It’s a good feeling blocking shots. When those get through, they have a chance to go in the net. Just doing [my] job that way.
Musty, on treating this camp as a fresh start:
It’s always the goal to make a statement and put your name out there. To have a chance at that opening night roster. That’s [what] all of us are trying to do. Winning helps that. Winning is the most important thing. You’ve got to be a good team to win games. That’s the most important thing about this: Winning.
Musty, on his off-season of training and preparation to try to get faster:
That’s the first game that we’ve all played in quite some time. We all played quite a bit tonight. It feels good. I felt pretty fresh the whole game. I was winning races to pucks. That quickness that I was trying to build there in the offseason really helped with that.
John McCarthy
McCarthy, on Cam Lund’s status and his thoughts on the Will Francis elbow:
I don’t have an update yet. I liked [that Braden] Hache got in there for him. I liked [Carson] Wetsch earlier in the game after another hit. Those are good signs…
Obviously, I didn’t like the hit. I never want to see one of our guys take a hit like that.
McCarthy, on how newcomers Teddy Mutryn, Max Heise, and Haoxi (Simon) Wang looked:
I thought they were good. [Mutryn and Heise] were playing in the middle. I thought they did a nice job. [Heise,] because of all the penalties, he was able to play up a line or two, a couple times … I liked the way he responded. I thought he fit in really well.
Wang showed some upside too. He can extend plays, big frame. He had some moments of upside as well.
McCarthy, on his early impressions of Misa:
He’s got poise with the puck. I think he can make plays in tight areas.That would be the biggest thing that I notice: he makes a lot of plays in tight areas, through triangles. [Misa] can find holes and does a really good job with that…
That’s why he was taken where he [was] and why he’s going to be a big part of the future of this organization.There’s a lot of upside there.
McCarthy, on his impression of Chernyshov:
He’s a big body, strong on the puck. You can see that he’s going to be a really good player. You can see where things are going with him.
McCarthy, on Musty blocking shots, his attitude coming into camp:
That’s what you want to see from guys. You want to see them come out, make a statement. I thought he did a pretty good job of that with his puck play. [It’s] always good to see guys that are known as offensive players laying in front of a shot like that. It’s a good sign.
Special thanks to Josh Frojelin for transcribing.