Sharks Sign Thomas Bordeleau
Earlier this week, San Jose signed center Thomas Bordeleau to an AHL tryout agreement, allowing them to get his start in the pros with the Barracuda. He made quite the impression over his first two games as the Sharks announced that they’ve converted Bordeleau to a three-year, entry-level contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Interim GM Joe Will released the following statement:
Thomas is a skilled playmaker with a high hockey IQ at both ends of the ice. He consistently shows up in high-level competition and has a history of playing his best in crucial moments.
The 20-year-old was a second-round pick of the Sharks (38th overall) back in 2020 and he certainly impressed in his two seasons at Michigan. This year, he played in 37 games for the Wolverines, finishing tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 25 assists. Bordeleau played an important role as Michigan made it to the Frozen Four before falling to Denver, the eventual champion.
The timing of this deal is a little intriguing in that had Bordeleau stayed on his AHL tryout for the rest of the year and then signed his entry-level contract, San Jose would have had him for three years under entry-level restrictions. Instead, by converting him now (he’s on his way to Minnesota to meet up with the team tomorrow), he’ll burn the first year now but won’t accrue a season of service time towards UFA eligibility. San Jose is certainly battling injury issues – they’re expected to dress just 16 skaters tonight against Dallas, per Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News (Twitter link) – so Bordeleau should have a chance to see a lot of playing time over the final two weeks of the season.
Brendan Brisson, Thomas Bordeleau Sign AHL Tryouts
Another pair of top college prospects have turned pro, as Brendan Brisson has signed a tryout agreement with the Henderson Silver Knights and Thomas Bordeleau has signed one with the San Jose Barracuda. Notably, both players would not be eligible to be assigned and play with the Silver Knights had they signed entry-level contracts with the Vegas Golden Knights and San Jose Sharks respectively, so this is a way to get some AHL games first. At any point, the NHL squads could sign them and insert him into the lineup, should they have the cap space to carry the extra contract. If not, entry-level deals for 2022-23 will likely follow.
Brisson and Bordeleau are both Michigan standouts, and more Wolverines to leave the program behind in the last few days. They follow the likes of Matty Beniers, Owen Power, and Kent Johnson to professional hockey, though they won’t jump directly into the NHL lineup like their former teammates.
Selected 29th overall in 2020 Brisson, 20, has taken a clear step forward in each of his post-draft seasons. As a freshman for Michigan in 2020-21, he recorded 21 points in 24 games, while helping the U.S. take home gold at the World Juniors. This year, his offense exploded, with 21 goals and 42 points in 38 games, just barely coming in behind Beniers for the team lead. He was also selected to the U.S. Olympic team, where he scored twice in four games.
A tireless worker and creative play-driver, Brisson can generate opportunities for himself and his linemates with equal frequency. Returning to college likely would have put him in the conversation for the Hobey Baker or at least the national scoring race but there wasn’t a lot of extra development necessary for him to make an impact at the professional level. He should do that right away for the Silver Knights, who have seven games left in the regular season but have already clinched their spot in the Pacific Division playoff race.
Bordeleau, 20, was the 38th pick in 2020 and took a similar path, though his freshman season was even more impressive with 30 points in 24 games. This season he had 37 in 37, finishing third among Michigan forwards and fourth overall. Unfortunately, Bordeleau was robbed of two different opportunities to play at the World Juniors thanks to COVID testing; one year it was his positive result, another his roommate’s. It was actually when several of his teammates left for the Olympics that his game really rounded into form, given more responsibility and ice time. He’ll likely get that same opportunity in the coming years in San Jose, should he see extended time in the minor leagues.
A natural center that can fit any role, Bordeleau may end up topping out as a middle-six option at the NHL level. But with his offensive upside, work ethic, and penalty killing ability, there’s a long professional career ahead of him. That starts, for now at least, with the Barracuda, who are unfortunately only going to play a few more games this season. They’re last in the Pacific and are not going to make the playoffs, with just five games remaining on the schedule.