San Jose Sharks defenseman Jacob Middleton, left, fights with Nashville Predators center Luke Kunin during an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, March 5, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Jake Middleton was called up recently — and I’m not talking about the NHL.

“I got a call-up two rooms ago. They heard I was pretty good. We [had] done one down here, Rudy and Lane Peterson and I with our wives and girlfriends. Rudy gave them the heads-up that I excelled, that I was pretty good in there,” the AHL veteran said. “So I got the call-up to the A-squad.”

Middleton, of course, is talking about an escape room, where he, Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture, Rudolfs Balcers, and Nick Bonino recently celebrated Hertl’s eight-year extension in Los Angeles.

“Burnzie stopped going,” Middleton shared. “We’re 2-0 with some pretty impressive times. I think we got one in Edmonton.”

The San Jose Sharks visit Edmonton on Mar. 24.

But they’ll be hard-pressed to replicate their success in LA.

“The last one, we were lost in a Mayan jungle, looking for a mask to put on this guy. They give you the backstory and they throw you in a room and you got to figure your way how to get out. It’s a process,” Middleton said. “The guy we had last time in LA, he was very impressed. He said we were the best group he’s had in six months. That was a nice pat on the back.”

AT SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW…

IN OTHER SHARKS NEWS…

The San Jose Barracuda’s soon-to-be home finally has a name: Tech CU Arena.

The San Jose Sharks highlight Rebecca Buehler for Women of Teal night. (NHL)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly interested in acquiring Jake Middleton. (theScore)

Artemi Kniazev sits at number 20 among the top-25 Sharks under age 25. (Fear the Fin)

Many have wondered who the San Jose Sharks in-arena announcer has been over the last three games. It’s been Oakland A’s PA announcer Amelia Schimmel!

AROUND THE NHL…

The list of the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award was announced Wednesday. (NHL)

Quinn Hughes is a product of the new era of NHL defensemen. (NHL)

USA sled hockey claims a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. (Team USA)

Jakob Chychrun’s ankle injury may not be as bad as originally feared, good news for trade deadline possibilities. (Arizona Sports)

West Coast Hockey Sports and Entertainment to start a new junior hockey league in the Western US in 2023. (The Hockey News)

Is keeping Mike Matheson and Kris Letang together the best move for the Pittsburgh Penguins?

Boston Bruins sign Marc McLaughlin to a two-year entry-level contract:

https://bostonhockeynow.com/2022/03/15/boston-bruins-sign-bcs-mclaughlin-to-two-year-nhl-deal/

https://bostonhockeynow.com/2022/03/19/haggs-boston-bruins-become-true-contenders-with-lindholm-trade/

Colorado Avalanche trade Tyson Jost traded to Minnesota Wild for Nico Strum:

https://coloradohockeynow.com/2022/03/15/tyson-jost-traded-nico-sturm/

The Florida Panthers acquire Ben Chiarot ahead of the trade deadline:

Josh Manson speaks about joining the Colorado Avalanche:

https://coloradohockeynow.com/2022/03/15/josh-manson-shocked-stunned-thrilled-to-be-with-colorado-avalanche/

Brock Nelson is making history with the New York Islanders:

https://nyihockeynow.com/new-york-islanders-brock-nelson-24-goals-30th-overall-2010-nhl-draft/

Will the Vegas Golden Knights move to pick up a goaltender at the trade deadline?

https://vegashockeynow.com/2022/03/16/vegas-golden-knights-goaltending-trade-rumors-alexander-georgiev-joonas-korpisalo/

A look at the career of the Philadelphia Flyers‘ Claude Giroux:

https://phillyhockeynow.com/2022/03/16/philadelphia-flyers-icon-claude-giroux-by-the-numbers-1000-games-bobby-clarke-milestones/

https://phillyhockeynow.com/2022/03/19/philadelphia-flyers-carchidi-claude-giroux-trade-chuck-fletcher-colorado-avalanche-avs-florida-gm-future/

Washington Capitals finally see Alex Ovechkin take sole possession of third place on the NHL’s all-time goals list:

https://washingtonhockeynow.com/washington-capitals-captain-alex-ovechkin-passes-jaromir-jagr-third-nhl-goals/

2020 second round-pick Cross Hanas signs ELC with the Detroit Red Wings:

https://detroithockeynow.com/2022/03/16/detroit-red-wings-sign/

Jim Benning’s Vancouver Canucks may yet make a playoff run, just without Jim Benning:

https://vancouverhockeynow.com/2022/03/16/vancouver-canucks-pacific-division-nhl-hockey-jim-benning-jim-rutherford-patrik-allvin-bruce-boudreau-travis-hamonic-jaroslav-halak/

Calle Jarnkrok joins the Calgary Flames ahead of the trade deadline:

https://calgaryhockeynow.com/calgary-flames-trade-calle-jarnkrok/

Jake Allen rejoins the Montreal Canadiens just before the trade deadline: