An old San Jose Sharks fan favorite helped mold the newest Shark.
On Saturday, the Sharks claimed right-handed defenseman Ty Emberson from the New York Rangers. The Rangers are deep on the right side of their blueline with 2021 Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, captain Jacob Trouba, and Braden Schneider, and Emberson got caught in a numbers game.
Emberson, a 2018 Arizona Coyotes third-round pick, played at the University of Wisconsin from 2018 to 2021, captaining the Badgers in his last season. His coach for all three years at Wisconsin? Tony Granato, who played for the San Jose Sharks from 1996 to 2001.
“He’s the reason I went to Wisconsin,” Emberson said today, after his first practice with the Sharks. “Tony was probably one of my favorite coaches ever. He’s probably the best man I know.”
Emberson and Granato are still close.
“He’s excited,” Emberson said of Granato’s reaction to his old team claiming him.
Another coach who’s high on Emberson?
San Jose Sharks bench boss David Quinn, who said he was in favor of claiming Emberson, “He’s a right-shot D that can play in this league.”
Emberson’s handedness can’t be ignored. The Sharks currently have 14 defensemen in training camp, but just five right-handers, Emberson, Matt Benning, Jan Rutta, Kyle Burroughs, and Leon Gawanke.
I spoke with multiple league sources who echoed Quinn, that they think Emberson, who’s yet to play an NHL game, is an NHL-caliber blueliner.
Emberson described his game: “Just a simple defenseman, like to make a good first pass. Be good defensively and be reliable for my teammates. Support people when I can and jump in the rush when I can, but more of a two-way defenseman who likes to take care of my own end.”
Also excited for Emberson’s arrival?
Ryan Carpenter, who started out with the San Jose organization from 2015 to 2018, and returned to the Sharks this off-season, was teammates with Emberson in Hartford last year.
“Carpy reached out to me right away and said if you need anything, let me know. If you have any questions about anything. If you want to come over for dinner,” Emberson said. “He’s got a couple of kids and a wife, so I knew them a little bit from last year. He’s been really welcoming to me.”
And Emberson is welcoming to a fresh start: “This is just a new opportunity for me, so I’m really excited for it.”
More must-reads: