Eric Pohlkamp vs Miami (Ohio) 3/7/2026
Eric Pohlkamp might be the best San Jose Sharks prospect not currently in San Jose. He's been one of, if not the best, defenseman in the NCAA this season. He currently has 17 goals and 19 assists in 34 games this year and is a legitimate Hobey Baker Award finalist.
Pohlkamps' stat line in the University of Denver's 6-2 win against Miami (Ohio) from Saturday, March 7, 2026:
1goal, 1 assist, 9 SOG, 20:34 TOI
Three observations from Pohlkamp's performance:
He Isn't Afraid To Shoot
Eric Pohlkamp ended up with 9 shots on goal, and honestly lost count of his shot attempts. He came into this game on a mission to get the puck on net as often as he could, and it showed.
Pohlkamp shot off the face off
One timer on power play
Pohlkamp has an absolute rocket of a shot and will be a weapon in the NHL. His two points came from his shots.
Pohlkamp assist
It's easy to envision a Pohlkamp shot from the point with Michael Misa hanging around the net and banging home a rebound. The Sharks haven't had a booming shot (outside of Jake Walman's half a season) since Brent Burns roamed the blue line.
Pohlkamp goal
On his goal, he does a good job holding the defender and sliding into a soft spot. The goalie gets frozen, and then he launches a wrister past the goalie. That's an NHL play all day.
Pohlkamp will give the Sharks a legitimate shot from the blueline that they desperately need.
His Transition Game
Eric Pohlkamp is more than just a shot; he can carry the puck and does it well. Pohlkamp had a few opportunities to carry, and they usually created dangerous chances for Denver.
Coast to coast
Miami gets a breakaway, and Pohlkamp rides the wave and almost splits the defense for a great chance.
Breakout
Pohlkamp skates to the open space and then makes a breakout pass. It almost gets intercepted, but it still gets the job done, and Denver can set up their offense.
Starts the breakout and gets a shot
This play is a great example of Pohlkamp starting the breakout and following up to get a quality shot off.
Pohlkamp looks to create offense from his defensive zone and doens't go up and off the glass and throw the puck away.
His Defensive Game
Eric Pohlkamp won't be a shutdown defenseman, but he is an active defenseman. He comes out to challenge forwards and will block shots. Pohlkamp is actually at his best in the transition defense.
Transition defense
He does a great job of communicating what he wants the backchecking forward to do, then intercepts the pass.
Stick poke to breakup a shout
Eric Pohlkamp looks like a player who is ready to make an impact in the NHL as soon as next month. He will bring a different element to the Sharks' blue line that it desperately needs.