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Sharks junior prospects update
Written by: Martin Christ on 12/01/2006 
In the OHL, Jamie McGinn and Derek Joslin are major parts of the Ottawa 67's while low-scoring defenseman James DeLory has turned overtime specialist with the Oshawa Generals.
Devin Setoguchi, F -- Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Acquired: Drafted first round, 8th overall, 2005
Devin Setoguchi's start to his final year of junior hockey has been the greatest test of his young career. First a knee injury during a summer workout wiped out any opportunity he had to make an impression at his second Sharks training camp. Then, when he returned home to Taber, Alberta prior to joining the Saskatoon Blades, a call from the Blades' coach Lorne Molleken informed him he had been traded to the Prince George Cougars. Setoguchi had envisioned his junior career would be completed in Saskatoon and was shocked by the move.
The Cougars underachieved during the early season to the point where their coach, Mike Vandekamp, was fired and this further added to Setoguchi's discomfort. In the first week of November, Drew Schoneck took over from interim coach (Prince George GM) Dallas Thompson, giving Setoguchi three coaches in six weeks. It is understandable that he was not performing to his standard, owing to the instability in Prince George and the amount of time he had to be off skates due to his injury.
All is not lost for Setoguchi's 2006-07 season. He displayed incredible jump and effort in the WHL's 5-3 Nov. 29 win over the touring Russian Selects, adding a goal to his physical play. His eight goals and eight assists in 21 games is not bad considering all that has transpired and it appears he is just now rounding into top form. Setoguchi was deeply disappointed in not making Canada's World Junior team last year and is hoping the recent upturn in his play will result in a roster spot on this year's Team Canada a few weeks from now.
Ty Wishart, D -- Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Acquired: Drafted first round, 16th overall, 2006
Also impacted by upheaval and injury in Prince George was the Sharks top 2006 draft choice, Ty Wishart. Wishart missed nearly two weeks with a concussion three games into the season and then was slowed by a groin injury in early November. He missed another game when, upon his return to the team after his injury, his equipment failed to arrive in time for a road game in Chilliwack. When in the lineup the big Comox, British Columbia native seems to never leave the ice and recorded three goals and nine assists in 19 games. Wishart has stated in the past that he wants to work most on his skating and outlet passing and it appears this is paying dividends.
Like Setoguchi he is looking to put his personal and the team's rough start behind him. He took another step in that direction when he scored two goals and was named Canadian player of the game in the WHL's Nov. 29 5-3 victory over the Russian Selects.
Taylor Dakers, G -- Kootenay Ice (WHL)
Acquired: Drafted fifth round, 140th overall, 2005
Taylor Dakers' exceptional play with the Kootenay Ice further emphasizes the Sharks depth at the goaltending position. Dakers played two games in this September's Pacific Division Shootout and stayed with the Sharks through training camp until Oct. 3 when he returned to the WHL as an overage player. In his first 13 games, he has only two regulation losses with Kootenay. He has a .910 save percentage and his 2.42 GAA ranks him seventh in the WHL.
It seems all of the Sharks WHL prospects were destined to fight injury this season as Dakers too has been sidelined. He was forced to leave after the first period of Kootenay's Oct. 18 7-3 win over Red Deer with an abdominal injury. He returned to action Nov. 12 and recorded a 5-3 win over Prince Albert. Dakers has made it clear he is near the top of the Sharks' young goaltender crop and they are sure to find him a place in professional hockey next season.
Jamie McGinn, F -- Ottawa 67's (OHL)
Acquired: Drafted second round, 36th overall 2006
McGinn leads Ottawa with 15 goals and 27 points in 23 games. He brings a constant spark to his team, never backing away from corners or available hits. He continues to play a robust game though now in his third season with the 67's he appears to be picking his spots a little better. The 67's team started slowly but the team has recently won three straight games thanks, in part, to the contributions of McGinn.
The Ottawa 67's coach Brian Kilrea has placed a lot of faith in McGinn and that belief was passed on to his long time friend, Sharks' GM Doug Wilson. Kilrea has been around so long he even coached Wilson when he was the star of the 67's in the mid 1970's. Kilrea's tip on McGinn looks well founded as he projects to be the second or third-line feisty, scoring forward that every NHL team seeks.
Derek Joslin, D -- Ottawa 67's (OHL)
Acquired: Drafted fifth round, 149th overall 2005
Derek Joslin may suffer from falling into neither the bruising, nor the offensive category of defenseman, but he has shown good leadership qualities. At the start of the 2006-07 season Joslin was named co-captain of the Ottawa 67's along with Elgin Reid. He has yet to score a goal but cannot be unhappy with his progress and consistent, steady play. He has registered 15 assists in 23 games and served 27 minutes in penalties. With the aid of his strong shot from the point, he will likely break the goal scoring drought sooner rather than later.
Joslin is competing in what should be his final year of junior play and will likely need a year or two of minor pro seasoning before potentially taking a shot at a third defensive pairing position with the Sharks.
James Delory, D -- Oshawa Generals (OHL)
Acquired: Drafted fourth round, 98th overall 2006
James Delory is a big, hard-hitting defenseman but lately he has been evolving into a secret overtime goal scoring weapon. On Nov. 9 Delory's first goal of the season gave the Generals a 3-2 overtime win over the London Knights. Ten days later his second goal was also the overtime winner in a 6-5 victory over the Sudbury Wolves.
Unfortunately, between heroic episodes, Delory was suspended for disciplinary reasons, along with four teammates, for the Generals' Nov. 16 game against the Barrie Colts. Delory also served a five-game suspension early in the season for a hit to an opponent's head in a game against the Kingston Frontenacs. He has played in 18 games scoring two goals and four assists with 56 minutes in penalties.
Copyright 2006 Hockey’s Future. Do not reprint or otherwise duplicate without permission of the editorial staff.
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