San Jose Barracuda
SOURCE: Okhotiuk’s Season Is Over
Nikita Okhotiuk’s season is over, per a San Jose Hockey Now source.
Neither the San Jose Sharks nor the San Jose Barracuda have made an official announcement.
(SJHN update: On Apr. 4, the San Jose Sharks shared that Okhotiuk “underwent successful core muscle surgery” and should make a full recovery for next year’s training camp)
The source added that Okhotiuk will be ready for training camp next season.
Okhotiuk, 22, was acquired by the San Jose Sharks on Feb. 26 from the New Jersey Devils. The 6-foot-1 defenseman was part of a seven-player and pick package that came to San Jose in exchange for star winger Timo Meier.
Okhotiuk hasn’t played since Feb. 11, when he was a member of the Utica Devils. According to Ben Birnell of The Daily Sentinel, Okhotiuk suffered a lower-body injury.
As recently as mid-March, San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier had expressed optimism that Okhotiuk could come back this season.
Grier said Okhotiuk will be evaluated this week again to see if he’s ready to play
— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) March 16, 2023
But it looks like Okhotiuk’s San Jose organization debut will have to wait until next year.
Safe to say, the San Jose Sharks are excited for it.
“I don’t think Nikita got talked about too much about being part of the deal, but he was a huge part for us,” Grier said after the Meier trade. “Our scouts love him and he’s a throwback player. We think he’s going to be a big part of the future.”
Grier on What Sharks Organization Needs To Address Next After Trade Deadline & More
An NHL scout from outside the Sharks organization concurred: “He’s a hard player, likes the physical [stuff], he’s fearless, and a hell of a competitor.”
Scouts on What Sharks Are Getting in Mukhamadullin, Zetterlund, Okhotiuk (+)
