Former Battalion forward Barclay Goodrow during the pre-game skate in Ottawa on Monday night. PHOTO BY CHRIS DAWSON.
It’s pretty safe to say you couldn’t wipe the smile off Barclay Goodrow’s face with a cross-check.
The former North Bay Battalion forward is living the dream with the San Jose Sharks.
The undrafted forward was signed by the Sharks as a free agent last spring and fought his way into the starting lineup in the fall of 2014.
On his first journey to his home province of Ontario, Goodrow had built up 50 NHL games onto his resume.
“Yeah, it’s been good, obviously it’s a big change going from junior hockey to this league but I felt I’ve gotten better as the year has went on and definitely use a lot of the things I learned from the Battalion and Stan to get me to this point and to keep me going throughout the year,” Goodrow said after his pre-game skate on Monday morning in Ottawa.
It’s been quite the transition for the 22-year-old who is going from a Major Junior captain to an NHL rookie.
“It’s different you know, obviously you have a different role, you go from being a loud guy, the leader, try to lead by example with the Battalion to try to earn a spot on this team,” said Goodrow.
“But that being said the guys here have been great, they have been so accepting, we have a few young guys and they are accepting of all of us, make us feel we have been here for years so it’s a great group of guys and I look forward to coming to the rink every single day.”
Sharks veteran defenceman Brent Burns says Goodrow impressed many the way he came on the scene and paved his way to a regular shift in the Sharks lineup.
“He’s a great kid, he works hard and he’s got that fearless personality on the ice that we need and its a great energy for us,” said Burns about Goodrow who was skating on a line with John Scott and Ben Smith against the Senators.
“He’s also got a lot of skill and he’s chipped in that way for us. It’s great to have those guys come up and bring that energy for some of us older guys and we can kind of live through that. It’s great to see a story like his is awesome too, I remember him coming into camp and guys were asking who he is and you notice him and that’s always a good thing and oh yeah, he takes a beating up here.”
Goodrow had a lot to cheer about he netted 33 goals and 34 assists for 67 points in his final OHL regular season campaign. FILE PHOTO COURTESY DENIS DUBOIS.
Familiarity has helped comfort Goodrow in his rookie campaign. He joined two other Battalion alumni on the team in the form of injured agitator Raffi Torres and Brent Burns.
“We have some memories to share, whether its about the Powerade Centre in Brampton or some funny Stan stories but its nice to have some familiar faces,” said Goodrow with a chuckle.
Goodrow also has enjoyed sharing his rookie season with another former OHL captain.
Goodrow and rookie Sharks forward Chris Tierney (former Knights captain) both grew up playing minor hockey with the York-Simcoe Express.
“We grew up playing in the same minor hockey organization so its been nice to come along on this ride with him and hopefully we can pick it up throughout the last 10 games of the season,” said Goodrow who has 4 goals and 7 assists totalling 11 points in 53 games.
Goodrow and his new teammates may be facing the reality of missing the playoffs, the first time potentially for the franchise since 2003.
However, the former Battalion star realizes that he’s part of a Sharks rebuild which could translate into a bright NHL career for the hard working forward.
