By: Joe Lami

Newly acquired defenseman, Karl Stollery, made his San Jose Sharks debut Friday night against the Arizona Coyotes.  Stollery had been playing in the Sharks’ American League affiliate, Worcester, since the trade deadline, but was recalled on Thursday to suit up for Friday nights’s game.  The Sharks’ acquired the 27-year old defenseman from Colorado for forward, Freddie Hamilton.  Hamilton had been in the Sharks system since he was drafted in 2010, but only managed to play in 12 games for San Jose.

In his short stint in Worcester, Stollery put up nice numbers, recording five points (2g, 3a) in just 12 games.  He also earned +3, while serving eight penalty minutes.

On Friday, Stollery, known as a puck moving defenseman was paired with Brent Burns, which is a bit of a stretch for a guy getting his feet wet in San Jose, as Burns leads the team in turnovers.  However, Stollery stood tall and played well, finishing with 16:49 minutes on the ice.

Karl replaced Scott Hannan, as Hannan was a healthy scratch Friday night.  While doing so, he earned time on the second unit penalty kill, which he was very impressive.  Especially with getting in the passing lane and taking away could be chances for the Coyotes.

He had three shots, the best chance came in the first period in a transition play.  Joe Thronton had the puck in the right circle and passed it back to Stollery who caught the puck at the left point.  The left-handed slap shot was a bullet right into the chest of Arizona goalie, Louis Domingue.

Stollery finished a minus-1, as he was on the ice for the only Sharks’ goal against in their 3-1 win.  The goal came off Burns’ stick, as the cross crease pass from Coyotes’ forward Mark Arcobello found it’s way pass San Jose net minder Antti Niemi.

Stollery could have a bright future in San Jose and will continue to play for the injured Scott Hannan, who was hit in the face with the puck on Wednesday against the Colorado Avalanche.  It should be a confidence builder for him to play this late into the season.