San Jose Sharks - 2016 Entry Draft

The San Jose Sharks concluded the 2016 NHL Draft today with Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson and Director of Scouting Tim Burke making five selections.

With their first selection of the 2016 NHL Draft (second round, 60th overall), the Sharks chose C Dylan Gambrell, a freshman at the University of Denver. The six-foot, 180-pound forward posted 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) in 41 games with the Pioneers. Gambrell, a native of Bonney Lake, WA, turned in the 12th-best scoring total by a freshman in DU history winning the Barry Sharp Award as the DU's top rookie. He was named to NCHC All-Rookie Team and was a finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year Award and also earned All-Tournament Honors at NCAA West Regional. Additionally, Gambrell won both the NCHC and HCA National Rookie of the Month Award for February and earned five NCHC Rookie of the Week Awards. Prior to his collegiate career, Gambrel spent three seasons (2012-15) with the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL, recording 108 points (39 goals, 69 assists) in 172 career games, serving as Dubuque's alternate captain in 2014-15 and winning a Clark Cup in 2013. He also captured a Gold medal with Team USA at the 2014 World Junior 'A' Challenge in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. Ranked 149th overall and 67th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting, Kirk Luedeke of Red Line Report says Gambrell is "is a very talented pivot with plus-speed and vision; quick and elusive; very opportunistic; puck just follows him around the ice."

With the 111th selection (fourth round), San Jose selected C Noah Gregor, who posted 73 points (28 goals, 45 assists) in 72 games in his first full season with Moose Jaw (WHL). He also added nine points (three goals, nine assists) in 10 WHL playoff games and was ranked 45th overall among North American skaters and 66th overall by The Hockey News. The six-foot, 178-pound native of Beaumont, AB also represented Canada at the 2016 Under-18 World Championship (two assists in five games).

With the 150th selection (fifth round), San Jose selected C Manuel Wiederer from Moncton (QMJHL). In his first season playing in North America, he notched 64 points (29 goals, 35 assists) and a +24 in 54 games, good for third on the team in scoring. He led the team with 16 points (12 goals, four assists) in 17 QMJHL playoff games. The six-foot, 171-pound native of Deggendorf, Germany has represented his native country at the World Jr. and World Championships.

With the 180th overall selection (sixth round), San Jose selected D Mark Shoemaker from North Bay (OHL), who posted 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 67 games. The six-foot-two, 208-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario added three assists in 11 OHL playoff games.

With their final selection of the 2016 NHL Draft at 210th overall (seventh round), the Sharks selected LW/RW Joachim Blichfeld from Malmo Jr. in Sweden. The six-foot-two, 176-pound native of Denmark posted 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists) in 45 games for Malmo Jr. He has also represented his native Denmark at the U-18 World Jr. Championships, where he added 15 points (12 goals, three assists) in 14 games.