Sharks Load Up on Defense in Rounds 2-7 of 2024 NHL Draft

Igor Chernyshov, Dynamo Moscow (Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks used nine picks in the 2024 NHL Draft at the Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28-29. After selecting center Macklin Celebrini and defenseman Sam Dickinson on Friday, the Sharks used seven more picks on Saturday. Among the prospects they selected were three defenseman, two goaltenders and two wingers.

With the first pick of the second round, the Sharks selected LW Igor Chernyshov. The 6’3” 204 lb 18 year old winger was born in Penza, Russia. He played for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL last season. In 34 games he had three goals and an assist.

With their second pick of the second round, the 53rd overall, the Sharks selected defensemen Leo Sahlin Wallenius. Born in Skövde, Sweden, Sahlin Wallenius played for the Växjö Lakers HC J20 last season. In 43 games, he scored 11 goals and 31 assists.

The Sharks had one pick in the third round, the 82nd overall. The Sharks traded with the New Jersey Devils to get this pick, moving up three spots. They used the pick to get RW Carson Wetsch. 17 year old from North Vancouver. Wetsch played for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL last season, scoring 25 goals and 25 assists. He is also a cousin of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, though Wetsch’s style of play has not been compared to RNH.

The Sharks had one fourth round pick, 116 overall, and they used that on Swiss goaltender Christian Kirsch. Kirsch is listed as somewhere between 6’2” and 6’4”, depending on which prospect list you look at. On the NHL’s prospect rankings, he was 17th among international goaltenders.

In the fifth round, the Sharks had two picks. They used both for defensemen. At 131 overall, they chose Colton Roberts from the Vancouver Giants of the WHL. Listed at 6’4” and 204 lbs, one of his most notable skills is his skating., Roberts was ranked 36th among North American skaters in the NHL Prospect rankings, and some expected him to go in the second or third round.

At 143, the Sharks chose Nate Misskey from the Victoria Royals of the WHL. Passed over last season, Misskey is 19 years old. NHL.com said: “Misskey (6-3, 210) plays a physical style, offers great compete and knows how to find an open man with good passes. The 19-year-old right-handed shot is No. 89 on Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.” (2024 Draft: Prospects Passed Over in 2023)

The Sharks had one final pick, in the seventh round. At 194 overall, the Sharks selected Russian goaltender Yaroslav Korostelyov. Korostelyov was not listed in the NHL’s prospect rankings. He played for SKA St. Petersburg’s Junior team and is listed at 6’1”, 161 lbs.

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