San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn gave Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber high praise this morning.

San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn gave Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber high praise this morning.

Quinn, who coached Faber at the 2022 Winter Olympics, said that his play on the ice reminds him of Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and that he looks like him, too. 

"First time I met him face to face, I said, Jesus, you remind me of Charlie McAvoy. With that face and those glasses, the right shot, and the way he plays," Quinn said. "I'm not saying he's McAvoy yet, but he's certainly trending in that direction."

Faber has had a terrific rookie season with the Wild. Faber has four goals and 30 assists in 61 games. Numbers like that are rare for a rookie defenseman in the NHL. He's had to play an increased role due to injuries on the Wild blueline. Jared Spurgeon, who is out for the season, left a big hole to fill as the team's No. 1 D-man. 

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard was seen as the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year, but his broken jaw injury opened the door for others to join the conversation. 

Faber's 34 points are just seven behind Bedard's 41. Faber has played 14 more games, but given that he is a defenseman, that changes some thinking. 

"You're talking about two elite players in their rookie years, and Brock's playing a more difficult position," Quinn said when comparing Bedard and Faber. "He's playing on a better team that is fighting for playoff hockey, so it's a little bit different for him. I think maybe his challenges are a little bit greater than Bedard, although, Bedard sees a lot of attention. Bedard missed an awful lot of hockey this year, so I think it is going to be an interesting situation when people have to vote."

Faber will face his one-time coach for the first time in his NHL career tonight as the Sharks are in Minnesota to face the Wild. 

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