Nikolay Goldobin is a highly touted prospect within the San Jose Sharks organization who is currently honing is skills with the Sharks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.  After a successful junior career with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL where he racked up 162 points in only two seasons, he was drafted 27th overall by the Sharks in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.  This season, Goldobin has played nine games in the NHL with San Jose, and like a Shark who has tasted blood; he is hungry for a return to the NHL.

Goldobin was born and raised in Moscow, Russia and fondly remembers how he started playing hockey when he was 5 years old. “I watched hockey on TV and told my parents that I wanted to try it. Initially it wasn’t my thing but then I really liked it. At first I played hockey in the yard by the street and later I started playing on a team. I am grateful for my parents who took me to practices; they have been the biggest influences on my hockey career,” said Goldobin.

Playing in the Russian Minor Hockey system, Goldobin quickly developed and by the age of 16 was already playing in the MHL, which is comparable to Junior hockey in North America.  During his rookie season, his play impressed upon a fellow countryman who had made a name for himself playing the game.  “I was noticed by Igor Larionov who would go on to become my agent. He asked me if I wanted to come to North America and play hockey.  And so I did.  I came without knowing any English. At first the hockey was difficult because I did not have enough speed for the pace of the game. Also, the level of strength and power was higher in the OHL than in the MHL. After a bit of time I got used to the new style of hockey and started to play better.”

Goldobin was drafted by the Sarnia Sting in the first round (36th overall) of the 2012 OHL Priority Selection. He was also selected 8th overall by Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the 2012 KHL Junior Draft. When asked why he chose to play in North America, he explained, “My agent told me to play in North America. I understood I could play there and decided right away to try it out. The KHL team where I could have played was very far from where I lived in Moscow. I believe I made the right choice.”

During his two seasons (2012-13 and 2013-14) with the Sting, Goldobin was a prolific scorer, even earning a spot in the CHL Top Prospects Game on Team Cherry. “In the locker room as everyone sat silent, Nikita Shcherbak and I were talking in Russian, laughing and having a lot of fun. Then the game started and we went to work on the ice. I scored a goal and an assist and was announced as the Player of the Game.  It was a very cool experience.  Before that game, I had only seen Don Cherry on TV with his unique suits.  It was great to be a part of his team and finally meet him.”

Goldobin’s impressive play during the Top Prospects Game, as well as his torrid scoring pace with the Sting didn’t go unnoticed by NHL scouts.  That summer, he was drafted in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks with the 27th overall pick. “I was hoping to be drafted in the first round but according to Central Scouting I was projected to go in the second round.  I knew the teams just ahead of the Sharks had more defensive styles and probably would not select me. Then came out Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson and I was told to go stand with him.  I understood right away that the Sharks had selected me. I was so happy and relieved, it was so nerve-wracking sitting and waiting all that time. After that I hugged my agent and hugged my Mom, it was such an amazing moment. I still watch that moment on YouTube which brings back fond memories.”

WATCH: Nikolay Goldobin drafted by the San Jose Sharks

Goldobin began the next season with the Worcester Sharks (San Jose’s AHL affiliate at the time) but after nine games would be reassigned to HIFK in the Finnish Elite League. He describes his transition to the professional game as rather difficult at first.  “In the AHL there are guys playing who are in their 30’s with experience, strength, and maturity. I actually scored in my first AHL game, which was even unexpected to me, but after that I did not score for six consecutive games. I thought the professional game would be hard for me to adapt but I was able to elevate to that level. I was ready for it”.

He continues reflecting on his first professional year and the circumstances behind him going to Finland for the bulk of the season. “After the first nine games I could not play in the AHL, I wasn’t 20 yet. There is a rule in the AHL that you can only play from 20 years onward. My dad asked me if I wanted to return to the OHL for another season or go to Europe to play against men to raise the level of my game and also make more money.  That is when I decided to go to Finland. After that season the Sharks asked me to stay in the AHL.”

That season was also a major year in Goldobin’s development on the International stage as he represented Russia at the 2015 World Junior Hockey Championship where his team won a silver medal in an epic rollercoaster finals against Canada where Russia scored 3 goals in the third to almost mount an incredible comeback. “I remember the start of the tournament and arriving in Toronto. I scored the first goal in the first game. Then we won the game in a shootout. We played pretty good throughout the tournament. The most memorable moment was when we played against the Canadians in the gold medal game.  They were up 5 to 1 in the third and then we made it 5 – 4.  I couldn’t believe we ran out of time.

“It is really sad we didn’t win but it’s still a nice feeling to play for Russia and help the team win silver.  It is an extreme honor when you put on your Country’s jersey. You are watched on TV and when you score a goal everyone cheers and everyone says thank you. The immense proud feeling of representing your Country cannot be described in words. I am so proud of that silver medal, however, I almost cry when I watch the video and remember how close we came to the gold.”

This season, after an impressive NHL Camp with the Sharks, Goldobin started the year in the AHL with the Barracuda.  And after only one game, he received a call to join the Sharks. “I was told at the start of the season that I would soon be called up to the NHL.  Sure enough, I got a call from our head coach to report to his office. That is when I found out I was called up. I thought they were joking because it happened after only one game. They proceeded to give me airplane tickets and after that day’s practise I had to fly right away to New Jersey.  I can honestly say that last season I was playing NHL on the PlayStation and this season here I was in the NHL. I could not believe I was playing alongside and against such star players.”

In his second NHL game on October 17^th, 2015, against the New York Islanders, Goldobin scored his first NHL goal against Jaroslav Halak from a set up by Joe Thornton. “It was a three on two, the opposing teams defenceman jumped forward and I was a bit off to the left of the play. When I got the pass all I had to do was put it into the open net. I could not believe I scored my first goal. I have the puck and a person who does beautiful trophies made me an amazing display for that goal puck.”

WATCH: Nikolay Goldobin score his first NHL goal

Goldobin played nine games with the Sharks before being reassigned back to the Barracuda, and learned many valuable lessons that he has taken back with him to the AHL.  “I was turning over the puck. I was trying to showcase myself and make good plays to create chances for our team. I would pass the puck but someone would intercept it and then the play goes back the other way and so on. The coach wanted me to play more assertively and not give up the puck. I needed to play meaner and get to the hard areas and then rush to the net. That is what I am working on now.”

He also offers a players perspective on why the Sharks are such a good team. “A lot of players there are around 30 years of age plus or minus a few years. They are very experienced and talented. When you play with them you realize you have to elevate your game a lot. They always support me and offer advice such as what I need to work on.”

Goldobin is focused on developing his overall game while with the Baracudda in hopes that another recall to the NHL will be in the not-so-distant future.  In the meantime, he is working hard, building confidence, staying positive, and discovering his role.

“The Barracuda really count on me and entrust me, which is very important. My role on the team is to score goals, I don’t have to hit or fight. I have to help the team score goals in every game.  Also, I don’t worry about making a bad play on the ice like I did in the NHL. This is because in the NHL if you make one mistake you are punished right away. In the AHL I have more confidence and that shows because I have possession of the puck and I am making plays. I would say playing in the AHL is harder than the NHL. The players here play angry, they are young and skate with great speed, whereas in the NHL it is more of a skill game where teams capitalize on mistakes.”

Goldobin also compared his AHL experience from playing in Worcester, MA last year, to playing in San Jose, CA this year after the Sharks relocated their AHL affiliate during the off-season.  “It is really good that the AHL team is in the same city as the NHL team. In the case of a call up we don’t need to fly seven hours to get to another city. The NHL is beside you and there is a door to get in. We practise in the same facility and management and coaches can easily come see us play. It helps players get noticed and is also good for the team to see their prospects.  We just have different dressing rooms.”

Away from the rink, Goldobin is still exploring North American culture.  “I usually go to movies with my friend and teammate Nikita Jevpalovs and with our girlfriends. I love laser tag and bowling or just going for walks or staying at home and watching Russian TV shows.”

He is also part of a blossoming talent pool of hockey players emerging from Russia.  “I am very happy that in the NHL there are many great Russian players. I hope one day I will be relied on by my team the way other Russian players are relied on by their respective teams such as Artemi Panarin, Alexander Ovechkin, Pavel Datsyuk, and Evgeny Malkin. I know there are more great Russian players who soon will be drafted as well.”

Although Goldobin hasn’t had much interaction with the Professional Hockey Players Association thus far in his young career, he is aware of the quality service the union provide for players after the team’s Enrolment meeting with PHPA staff this Fall. He enjoys reading the features about different players on the PHPA website and social media and is interested in learning more about the business side of the sport. “I encourage anyone to view their features on the players, it is very interesting and in depth.”

Goldobin is feeling more confident by the day and hopes to find his scoring touch at the NHL level.  He has been bringing excitement to Barracuda fans all season long, and may soon be circling the waters in shark infested territory.