EXCLUSIVE: Shark’s Stalock Sharp in Return From Injury
Friday, February 24, 2012
Flashback to 2011, where Stalock played the last 30 minutes of the San Jose game on February 1 against the Phoenix Coyotes, where- after coming in down 3-0- he stopped nine shots and the Sharks had a 5-3 comeback victory.
Stalock was then sent back east to play for the Worcester Sharks against the Monarchs on February 4. The plan was for Stalock to start the following night at the TD Garden against the Boston Bruins for his first NHL start.
That start against the Bruins never happened, with King's skate blade causing extensive nerve damage in Stalock's left leg. “You could tell by the doctor's face that it was major and it was going to be a long process [getting back to playing shape],” Stalock said to GoLocalWorcester during a phone conversation today.
Flash forward to 2012, where Stalock has begun playing again. The San Jose Sharks re-signed him in the off-season. “For them to bring me back with the timetable I had...wow,” Stalock said. “That just shows how great of an organization they are. The way they took care of me, with all the doctors and surgeons and therapists...I'm not sure another organization would have treated me as well.”
On January 18, 2012, the San Jose Sharks assigned Stalock to the Stockton Thunder- a team they share with the Edmonton Oilers- where he played in six of their next eleven games, garnishing an impressive record of 5-1 with a 2.83 goals against average and a .914 save percentage- both respectable numbers.
Those statistics are buoyed by the fact the Stalock was on the road to recovery from extensive nerve damage that originally gave him the impression that his career could be over. “It was a freak deal, but it will prepare me for the rest of my career,” Stalock said. “People think nerves are like an electrical outlet and you can just plug it back in; It's not that simple. It needs to grow back and it takes a long time to grow back.”
“It's a great sense of accomplishment,” Stalock said of the recovery. “Not just for me, but for everyone in the organization who has been involved. It was the first time for a lot of people dealing with an injury like this.”
Although the ECHL is a full two steps away from the NHL, simply playing was a huge step forward for Stalock. “I've been pretty lucky,” Stalock said of his return. “It's pretty cool to know you can play again.”
This past week, Stalock was moved up to the Sharks' AHL-affiliate, the Worcester Sharks. He showed no signs of rust in his first game this past Sunday, allowing only one goal on 16 shots in the 2-1 victory over the Springfield Falcons. The one goal against him was scored by Falcons' captain Dane Byers while the Sharks were shorthanded. “He hasn't shown to be lacking in anything since he's come back,” Worcester Coach Roy Sommer said.
“It's not 100%, and it may never be, but being at 99% is incredible,” Stalock said. “I'm at a point where it's not going to get much better, and it doesn't need to.” With Stalock's return, there is now a cramped goalie situation in Worcester, with Tyson Sexsmith and Harri Sateri having comfortably split the time between the pipes prior to Stalock's arrival.
“There's definitely some competition and that motivates you, which is the good part,” Stalock said. “But you really have to earn your playing time. It's tough, but it's part of the game.” Sexsmith has played in 25 games, sporting a record of 10-10 to go with a 2.22 goals against average and .923 save percentage. Sexsmith was the Worcester representative in the 2012 AHL All Star game.
Sateri, a native of Finland, has played in 21 games and has a record of 11-9 with two shutouts. He has a 2.66 goals against average and a .906 save percentage. “It's not fun,” Sommer said of the three goalie situation. “They all like getting their net time, and when they don't get it, it's tough.” “It's tough to get in there,” Stalock said. “But when you do, you have to make the best of it.”
While it has been a long time since Stalock has played regularly, Sommer does not think it will take too much to get back to the level he was playing at before. Sommer said, “The biggest thing is getting his confidence back,” Sommer said. “He's just got to see some pucks. We just have to find him some games. Hard work got me here in the first place,” Stalock said. “Hopefully it's just a matter of time.”
Stalock is upbeat and cheerful about playing again. At this point, he sees the horrific scene from a year ago as a motivational tool. “I've learned not to take this job for granted,” Stalock said. “It wakes you up to see how lucky you are to play hockey for a living.”
While Stalock has the two other Worcester goalies to compete with for playing time, he is motivated to keep working towards his goal of playing in the NHL. “You can't take any days off. It's continual,” Stalock said. “You have to keep playing, you have to keep working hard.”
The Worcester Sharks face the Providence Bruins at home at the DCU Center tonight, February 24, at 7:30 PM. Stalock figures to start.
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