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Preview/Lines #75: What Did Weatherby Gain from AHL?

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Credit: San Jose Sharks

With Jasper Weatherby moving back up to the San Jose Sharks roster, head coach Bob Boughner shared some thoughts about the forward on Saturday morning.

Regarding the extended period that Weatherby spent with the Sharks early in the year, Boughner acknowledged what he thought of the rookie’s first months with the team:

“Weatherby, I thought, played very well for us as a young guy. A rookie at the beginning of the season, coming from college and trying to transfer that game into the pro game. I think he did a really good job. I think, like a lot of young guys, I thought the schedule and the grind caught up to him a bit, and I thought he hit that wall a little bit.”

Why was the assignment to the San Jose Barracuda important for Weatherby’s development? Boughner offered some insight:

“That was the opportunity for him to go down, and instead of playing eight to ten minutes here, he went down there and played 20 minutes a night for the Barracuda. Sometimes that’s what these guys need early in their career to get that confidence back. I think he’s done that.”

Weatherby himself confirmed that he was handling about 18 minutes a night in the AHL. For the record, Weatherby was on the ice for 8:07 in Saturday night’s game against the Dallas Stars.

Boughner had been following how Weatherby was performing with the Barracuda and liked what he saw.

“Talking to Roy [Sommer] and watching some of the games and seeing that he’s been involved, been killing penalties, and taking important draws. He’s been in power play situations,” said Boughner. However, his use in positive situations has not been the only noticeable area of Weatherby’s play. “He’s been sticking up for his teammates and himself. He’s gotten a few scraps.”

Another area that Boughner is seemingly impressed with is Weatherby’s reaction to being sent to the AHL: “There’s a guy that’s not gone down there and moped. He realizes he’s a young guy and he’s a work in progress.”

Boughner had positive things to say regarding Weatherby’s return to his lineup and seems optimistic about what he will get out of his performance: “I’m excited to see him back and hopefully get that player who’s a little more seasoned and a little more experienced and ready to take a chance at this opportunity once again.”

Weatherby himself discussed the confidence he gained during his time with the Barracuda. Much like Boughner, Weatherby knows how his time in the AHL gave him experience he can build on, but he still has work to do.

“I think you only can build confidence through positive habits that you can build. Playing with the puck, getting more ice, and I think being with Barracuda was great for me,” Weatherby said. “Now, I just have to learn how to take those steps in the best league in the world.”

SAN JOSE SHARKS (29-34-11)

MINNESOTA WILD (46-21-7)

WHERE TO WATCH

Puck drop between the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild is at 3:00 PM PT/6:00 PM ET at the Xcel Energy Center. Watch it live on Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Wisconsin, and NBC Sports California. Listen to it on the Sharks Audio Network.

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