Barclay Goodrow learned how tough it can be to keep a full-time job in the National Hockey League.
After being signed as a free agent by the San Jose Sharks in the spring of 2014, the former Battalion captain surprised many by making the NHL squad that year where he dressed for 60 games.
Well 2015-16 was a very different story. After spending most of the year in the American Hockey League Goodrow was called up as a “Black Ace” for the Sharks drive to the Stanley Cup finals, where they fell in six games to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"I was there for the third and fourth rounds, around the team, warmed up a couple games," Goodrow told the NHL.com.
"Right when your team reaches the pinnacle of your sport and you're not in the lineup, it kind of just motivates you to do whatever it takes to make sure that if you have that chance again, you're going to be playing and helping the team.
"I just wanted to play. You dream of playing in the Stanley Cup Final. I was staying ready just in case something did happen and I was thrown in. It was a great experience to be a part of and just to see what the Stanley Cup Final was all about, but obviously I wish I was playing. That motivates me in the summer to become a better player to make sure I'm there the next time."
Goodrow made the Sharks roster in 2015-16 but after only registering three assists in his first 12 games, the power forward was shipped to the club’s AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
Goodrow started on the top line but by the end of November he was slotted on the fourth line.
But soon Goodrow picked it up and finished with 39 points (20 goals, 19 assists) in 57 AHL games and was named an AHL All-Star.
Now he’s to secure the spot on the roster he lost last season.
"I think it was good for my game overall to spend time at the American League level to kind of just get my game where it needs to be, develop some things with more ice time at the American level," Goodrow said.
"I think it was big for my confidence, and I did improve on some aspects of my game that I look forward to bringing to my game for this season coming up.”
Mike Ricci, the Sharks development coach, told the NHL.com that Goodrow needs to learn how to use his big 6’2” 215 pound body more effectively on the ice.
“Your legs and your body have to protect the puck, you have to keep it moving,” Ricci said about Goodrow to NHL.com.
“Everybody defends so well. He's still a young player. He's got a lot to learn, but he's put the work in and I feel like he's gotten better, and he's still got some more work this summer. He's made the strides I think we want."
And if Goodrow makes those strides the chances are he will be wearing the Sharks jersey full-time next season.
