GOTTA SEE IT: Eklund Gets Into 1st Pro Fight

This wasn’t on my 2023 bingo card: William Eklund just got into his first fight.

The San Jose Sharks’ 2021 first-round pick, known more for his slick playmaking, took exception to a high Glenn Gawdin hit on teammate Brandon Coe during a San Jose Barracuda 5-2 loss to the San Diego Gulls last night.

William Eklund vs Glenn Gawdin pic.twitter.com/6Ih0dmRzIk

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) January 12, 2023

“Eklund’s gonna drop the gloves with Gawdin. Not the match-up that the Barracuda want,” Barracuda announcer Nick Nollenberger said of the match-up between 5-foot-11 rookie Eklund and 6-foot-1 AHL veteran Gawdin. “Eklund has his first pro fight here with Glenn Gawdin, answering the bell. Eklund with a couple straight rights. He’s taking some punches, but he’s answering back as well. Gawdin ends up tackling him to the ice.”

Per Hockey Fights, it was Gawdin’s fourth fight. The 25-year-old forward is playing his fifth AHL campaign.

As for the San Jose Sharks prospect, he ended up an assist away from a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. He scored a goal and wasn’t too far from earning that apple either.

William Eklund makes it 2-0 Barracuda! pic.twitter.com/SmlMq7bHgA

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) January 12, 2023

What a pass from William Eklund pic.twitter.com/Q5xxKm7LaN

— JD Young (@MyFryHole) January 12, 2023

Eklund has nine goals and 16 assists in 37 games in his AHL debut. The 20-year-old’s 25 points are tied for third in AHL scoring with teammate Thomas Bordeleau, and Ethen Frank and Ruslan Iskhakov.

And that’s probably what the San Jose Sharks organization wants to see him doing, scoring, not fighting!