March Madness is in full effect, and the San Jose Sharks have four prospects playing for an NCAA National Championship.
Here is a list of each player and a quick season recap.
Brandon Svoboda – Boston University
Svoboda was the Sharks’ 3rd-round pick in 2023 and had a productive season for BU. The forward has been the fourth-line center for Macklin Celebrini’s alma mater. In 29 games, Svoboda had seven goals and two assists.
The big forward also made Team USA’s World Juniors roster, winning a gold medal. Svoboda had three goals and three assists in seven games for the USA, similar to his role at BU.
BU will play Ohio State in the first round of the tournament.
Joey Muldowney – UConn
Muldowney has flown under the radar for San Jose Sharks prospects, but he’s made his name known this season. The 2022 6th-round pick broke out in a big way for UConn this season. In 37 games, Muldowney had 27 goals and 18 assists.
In his first season with UConn, Muldowney had five goals and nine assists in 35 games.
Muldowney helped UConn reach the Hockey East finals but would lose to Maine. Now UConn will face Collin Graf’s alma mater, Quinnipiac.
There is an argument to be made that Muldowney was snubbed from the top ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award.
Eric Pohlkamp – Denver University
It is safe to say the transfer worked for the San Jose Sharks 2023 5th-rounder. Pohlkamp decided to transfer from Bemidji State to DU last summer, and it was a big season. In 41 games, Pohlkmap had ten goals and 23 assists while being +26.
He got off to a hot offensive start but cooled down later in the season. That didn’t stop the d-man from contributing, as he was counted on as one of David Carle’s shutdown defensemen. He did have a goal in the NCHC championship game.
UD will play Providence in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Reese Laubach – Penn State
Despite being the San Jose Sharks’ 2022 7th-round pick, Laubach has seen love due to his hometown connections. The former San Jose Jr. Sharks player had a good season for Penn State. In 32 games, Laubach had 15 goals and 15 assists.
Penn State is still considered a newer NCAA hockey program. After bringing back an independent program from 1940-1947, the Nittany Lions returned to NCAA play in 2012, once again as an independent.
That would change in 2013-14 when Penn State joined the Big Ten. The 24-25 season marks the first time Penn State will play in the NCAA Tournament.
Penn State will face the No. 3 team in the Tournament in Maine.
The tournament is set to begin on Thursday, and the field is considered highly competitive, with no clear favorite. Most games can be seen on ESPN or ESPN+.
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