Ryan Wagman on Reedy’s Hot Start, Mike Hamilton Talks Spitserov’s USHL Debut

Most Mondays this off-season, we’ll do a Sharks Prospects Update.

The 2020 NHL Draft was full of firsts for the San Jose Sharks.

First time in #SJSharks history they've drafted ALL forwards and all in any position (forward). Naturally, this is also the first time they didn't pick a defenseman in Draft

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) October 7, 2020

Another fun first: It was the first time that the Sharks made four picks in the same round. In the seventh, San Jose selected Alex Young, Adam Raska, Linus Oberg, and Timofey Spitserov.

Previously, the San Jose Sharks had made three picks in the same round three times, in 2010’s fifth round (Cody Ferriero, Freddie Hamilton, Isaac Macleod), in 2005’s fifth round (Taylor Dakers, Derek Joslin, P.J. Fenton), and 2003’s seven round (Jonathan Tremblay, Joe Pavelski, Kai Hospelt).

Pavelski’s emergence as an All-Star is a reminder to not discount Young, Raska, Oberg, and Spitserov’s chances of making an NHL impact.

With that in mind, today, we’re going to focus on Spitserov, perhaps the least known of this recent group of seventh-rounders. The 18-year-old Russian winger just made his USHL debut for the Muskegon Lumberjacks and we got head coach Mike Hamilton’s thoughts.

Also, Ryan Wagman of McKeen’s Hockey shared his thoughts about another late San Jose Sharks pick, 2017 fourth-rounder Scott Reedy, who’s off to a torrid start in his senior season.

But before we get to all that, here’s how San Jose Sharks prospects and players are faring around the world.

We’ll touch on the Sharks’ WJC representatives Artemi Kniazev, Yegor Spiridonov, Santeri Hatakka, and Adam Raska at a later date.

Let’s talk about Reedy first, who’s got everybody’s attention with six goals in the first eight games of the University of Minnesota’s campaign. He’s tied for second in the NCAA in goals.

Is the 21-year-old’s hot streak — his previous career-high is just 15 goals — for real?

Wagman isn’t so sure.

“Reedy has been around the action, but there is nothing really dynamic about his play. Not a very good skater — which is too bad, because he was quite fleet in his U-17 season,” Wagman wrote via e-mail. “He has a good shot, but the release isn’t quick enough or tricky enough to be a big-time weapon as a pro. His hands are decent enough to play in tight quarters, but his upside is fourth line at best.”

As for Spitserov, the 18-year-old made his USHL debut for the Muskegon Lumberjacks two weeks ago. In two games, Spitserov (20, right dot) notched an assist — a rather non-descript first:

This shouldn’t be Spitserov’s last USHL contest this year either — he acquitted himself so well, per a source, that the Lumberjacks would love to have him for the entire season. But it’s a numbers game, apparently: At this time, since the Muskegon roster is full, it appears that the San Jose Sharks prospect will be more of an injury call-up. He also still has to adjust to the strength and speed of the league.

Lumberjacks head coach Mike Hamilton added: “Really wish he was playing in the USHL. We will hopefully get him next season. He played both games in a limited role, but he showed well. His skating and skill-set are his strengths.”

All in all, it’s bad news for Culver Military Academy Prep’s opponents: Spitserov will just continue to dominate the preps. In just 12 games, he has 16 goals and 26 points.