San Jose Sharks prospects Shakir Mukhamadullin and Yaroslav Askarov go way back.
San Jose Sharks prospects Shakir Mukhamadullin and Yaroslav Askarov go way back.
San Jose Sharks prospects Shakir Mukhamadullin and Yaroslav Askarov go way back.
Mukhamadullin told reporters that he's known Askarov for 15 years. Both players are 22 years old, meaning they've grown up together since they were seven.
The d-man has been back in San Jose for a month and told reporters that Askarov is staying at his apartment.
"I've known him for like 15 years. We played national team and junior teams, like under 16, 17, 18, and under 22, so I know him a lot," Mukhamadullin said. It's really good for us, not because he's a Russian guy for me; he's a really good goalie."
Mukhamadullin was part of the AHL All-Star Skills competition but couldn't make it on time due to weather. He made a special appearance and was cheered loudly by the crowd. He went right to Askarov and didn't leave his side the rest of the night.
Mukhamadullin is playing in his second straight rookie faceoff despite being an older prospect. Even after three games in the NHL, the prospect knows he needs to show his best at all moments of the tournament, preseason, and training camp.
"I want to play NHL, but I need to do my best in this preseason, every game and every practice," Mukhamadullin said. "I need to show good results in testing stuff. Every guy here wants to play in the NHL. We will battle in [training] camp."
When San Jose traded Ty Emberson to the Edmonton Oilers, it seemingly opened a spot, or even a more straightforward path, for Mukhamadullin to get to the NHL. In three games in the NHL last season, the 22-year-old looked like he belonged, but he's out to prove it this summer.
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