San Jose's new affiliate: China Sharks

"The San Jose Sharks will be sending three coaches and five players to China to compete in the Asia Ice Hockey League to help develop hockey in the world's most populous nation."

- TSN/Reuters

And you think it's bad if you get sent down to the CHL. How about the ALIH? Ouch.

On a serious note, the Sharks aren't the first to raise the level of hockey in China. Angela Ruggiero and Project Hope, backed by Islanders owner Charles Wang, are providing equipment, translated coaching manuals and U.S. scholarships for youth hockey players there as well.

Update: Among the five lucky soldiers off to China are former WHLers Jason Beeman, Kevin Korol and Keegan McAvoy.

Derek Eisler, a Jr Sharks head coach, and Tom Lenox, a junior coach from Minnesota, are 2 of the 3 coaches heading east. Keegan McAvoy, Kevin Korol, Jason Beeman, Dan Knapp and Zach Sikich are the players that will suit up for the China Sharks. McAvoy has played right wing for the University of Saskatchewan (CIS), and also has WHL and ECHL experience. Left wing Kevin Korol also has WHL, ECHL and CIS experience. Right wing Jason Beeman scored 24 points and racked up 143 PIMs for the Texas Wildcatters of the ECHL last season. Zach Sikich is a 6-foot-2, 205 pound goalie who has played for St. Thomas College (NCAA), as well as for teams in the UHL, SPHL, and ECHL.

- sharkspage.com

Ozo gets 2nd chance with Sharks

Defenseman Sandish Ozolinsh has been granted a tryout with the San Jose Sharks. If he wins a place on the team, Ozo's career would come full circle returning to the club he entered the league with.

The joke here is obvious: Ozolinsh replaces Mark Bell as the team drunk.

I'd like to see Ozo make a comeback...just not with my Rangers. He's no longer the defenseman he was in Colorado, and his time on Broadway turned into a failed experiment. Hopefully a change of scenery will help him shake the demons that have affected his game. It's always tough to see a guy's career end on that note.

The question is, which signing will put the Sharks over the top? Roenick or Ozolinsh? (Sorry, Sharks fans. This may not be your year.)

Sharks to open season with Styles

You can stop shopping for Jeremy Roenick's retirement gift. The Sharks just announced they signed the former All-Star to a one-year, $500K contract. I assume he'll be filling the hole left by Bill Guerin, aging rent-a-vet who'll disappear in the playoffs.

"Styles", as he affectionately refers to himself, sits five goals shy of 500 for his career. If San Jose can get that many out of him without Roenick becoming a total distraction, I'll hand them the Cup right now.

Somehow I think I'm still safe in predicting the Ducks will repeat.

San Jose unveils new logo

After some speculation, the San Jose Sharks confirmed it's true. This is their new logo:

"It’s great for the fans because it adds something new and it doesn’t change too much from the old."

- Jonathan Cheechoo

That's an understatement.

Here's the old logo if the new one doesn't jog your memory:


Actually, I don't think the redesign is good or bad. It's just different...sort of. I mean, if you're going to change, then change - unless your Original Six in which case make it subtle, which the Bruins did deftly earlier this summer.