Tag: center

Barracuda Center Alex True – Profile

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By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE—Born into hockey, as he describes, Alex True has had a stick in his hand for as long as he can remember; he was placed on skates for the first time when he was two years old and has never looked back since.

20 years old, True, the son of a former Danish hockey player, was reared in Copenhagen. From a very young age, he would watch his father skate and join him at home to watch different Danish teams on TV. As he got older, his knowledge of the NHL increased. His mother is a native of San Diego, which prompted True to root for the three California NHL teams (Sharks, Kings, and Ducks).

In 2013-14, True joined his first official hockey team, Rungsted Ishockey, in his native Denmark; he appeared in 11 games that season. The following season (2013-14), he came to North America to play for the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL). He had 12 points (six goals and six assists) in 35 games.

In 2015-16, True, then 18, nearly tripled his number of points from the previous season with Seattle; he had 32 (14 goals and 18 assists) in 65 regular season games and added an additional 10 (six goals and four assists) in 18 playoff games. That same year, he served as an alternate captain for Team Denmark in the U20 World Junior Championships.

Last season was True’s career-peaking year. He collected 40 points (25 goals and 15 assists) in 66 games and was appointed Seattle’s “Most Dedicated Player.” In 20 playoff games he had 22 points (12 goals and 10 assists) and a plus-11 rating. Leading his team to the WHL Championships (which included a Memorial Cup run) has been his biggest career accomplishment thus far, he noted. He was also named captain of Team Denmark in the U20 World Junior Championships.

True is honored to be a part of the Sharks franchise and receive the opportunity to learn and grow holistically, from improving on the ice to bonding with his Barracuda teammates on the road, who continue to support one another as they work their way up to the NHL. It is no shocker that True, like his nonlocal teammates, appreciates the warm California weather above all else, making it bearable to be outside and explore surrounding cities on off days.

Barracuda Center Danny O’Regan – Profile

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Photo: sjbarracuda.com

By Alexandra Evans

SAN JOSE—Born in Berlin, Germany, Danny O’Regan, his older brother, Tommy, and their parents moved to Boston when O’Regan was four years old. His father, Tom, had played for Boston University and, the BSC Preussen in Berlin, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tommy played for Harvard University. O’Regan’s mother was also a figure skating coach, so one could argue that he was destined to end up on the ice; he as been skating for as far back as his memory dates

O’Regan, 23, played hockey for his father’s alma mater while pursuing a degree in advertising. His junior year, the Terriers won the Beanpot, an experience which O’Regan deems his greatest accomplishment to date. He exceeded the Terriers in points as a freshman, was the recipient of the Hockey East Second Team honors as a junior (in which BU also won the Hockey East championship), and served as an assistant captain as a senior. He was also the first BU hockey player to exceed 150 points (O’Regan had 154 comprised of 66 goals and 88 assists) since 1998.

A 90’s baby, one of several players O’Regan followed growing up was Sharks alternate captain Joe Thornton when he played for the Boston Bruins. Since signing a two year deal with San Jose in early 2016, O’Regan has played alongside his childhood idol both in training camp and games. He made his NHL debut on November 21, 2016 and described his overall experience with the Sharks as a dream come true.

O’Regan, a center, and Adam Helewka, a left winger, have played very much in harmony this season thus far. With stellar hand-eye coordination and speedy (but wise) decision making, multiple times have the pair managed to notch goals and assists, respectively, between one another.

Fun and random facts: O’Regan’s favorite movie is Remember the Titans; he has watched the entire series of The Office “over 50 times” (he believes); he is currently on a 400+ day Snapchat streak with his girlfriend, his longest yet! He also remains a loyal Patriots and Red Sox fan, and his next stop in San Francisco will likely (he hopes) be Alcatraz Island.