Stefan Noesen Is Back: “Last year was kind of a gong show…but it ended on the best note.”

Day 1 of free agency was quiet for the San Jose Sharks, but Doug Wilson did bring back fan favorite Stefan Noesen for one year, $925K.

These are the highlights from Noesen’s media availability, along with a Wilson comment about Noesen.

Doug Wilson, on what the San Jose Sharks saw in Noesen after Dallas cut him in the pre-season and Pittsburgh picked him up:

Watching him play in Pittsburgh, he was playing really well. So when we had the ability to acquire him, we thought he brought a lot to our team. He’s got size, skill, and versatility. And he’s a quality guy.

Stefan Noesen, on why he came back to the San Jose Sharks:

From the camaraderie in the locker room, I didn’t feel like an outsider coming in. They welcomed me with open arms.

I loved the fact that they brought back Bob. I thought Bob has a pretty good vision for what he wants out of his team. There was no better fit.

Noesen, on New Jersey letting him walk last summer, Dallas cutting him in the pre-season, and how new Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci revived his career:

Last year was kind of a gong show for me to begin with. But it ended on the best note it possibly could end on, being with San Jose.

I didn’t get qualified with New Jersey. I understood, but I was still shocked. I took it personally. We had that long free agency that we didn’t sign until a PTO. That just happened because I was in Dallas, training. Jim Nill saw me.

Winded up getting cut from Dallas, first couple rounds of cuts.

I called one of my old coaches, Mike Vellucci with Wilkes-Barre. I said hey I’m looking for a place to play, is there a way you could get me on your team.

He told me if I went there, he’d get me back to the NHL. I fully believed him. He’s the guy who got me drafted [in the first round in 2014]. He got me to the point where I got comfortable. Got me to where I am now, got me that contract signed with Pittsburgh, then found my way over to San Jose. Fit right in.

Mike and I go back to when I was 14 years old when I was playing for Compuware. He really saw something in me that other people didn’t.

And same thing happened there: He knew how to use me. He knew how to use my strengths. Honestly, it’s kind of the same way that [Boughner] uses me. He sees what makes me better as a player. That’s one of the main reasons why I wanted to be back.

I trust Mike with my game and my life and everything. He’s still a good friend to me. He was even invited to my wedding.

I’m very happy he’s finally getting his chance in the NHL.

Noesen, on what he brings to San Jose:

Bring some toughness, bring some leadership, bring some all-around solid play. That’s what I feel that I can do. I feel like I’m kind of like a utility knife. I can do whatever it is they need me to do.

Noesen, on if yesterday’s tweet was a hint about today’s good news:

That had nothing to do with anything related to the Sharks or the NHL. It had everything to do with stuff going on in my personal life, things at home, and my company that we started. Things were looking up with all that stuff.

I was just in a good mood, I had 2 or 3 coffees, and I was feeling great. It was more of a question of how everybody was doing. Everyone can read into whatever they want to read into it.

Noesen, on if “Hakuna Matata” will be his goal song next year:

I don’t know; we’ll see. I might leave it to a fan vote, so I’m going to guess that’s probably going to be yes.