Justin Bailey has been through it all in his professional hockey career and is ready to make an impact for the San Jose Sharks.

Justin Bailey has been through it all in his professional hockey career and is ready to make an impact for the San Jose Sharks.

Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2013, Baliey has played just 82 career NHL games. He has five career goals.

Last season with the AHL's Bakersfield Condors, Bailey scored 19 goals and 13 assists for 32 points in 58 games.

In 370 career AHL games, Bailey has 136 goals and 105 assists. His career-high came in 2019-20 with the Utica Comets, where he scored 28 goals and 19 assists for 47 points.

Today, he talked to THN and fellow media members about his journey back to the big show. 

"In my career, I've gone up and down a bunch," Bailey said. "Coming into this year, whether it was a PTO, whether it was an AHL or NHL deal, my goal is to play in the NHL as long as I can." 

Bailey told THN that he has had operations on both of his shoulders. He had labrum repairs, causing him to miss significant time. 

His last game in the NHL was on January 27, 2022, for the Vancouver Canucks. 

The 28-year-old feels ready to return to his goal of being in the NHL full-time.

"Two bad bounces back-to-back years set me back," Bailey said. "In my mind, I know that [while] the shoulders kept me off the ice at the same time, the hips, the back, feel like they are 24/25 years old still. I consider myself a young 28-year-old."

Tomas Hertl will miss tonight's game, making Justin Bailey the biggest forward in the lineup. Sharks head coach David Quinn recognizes that and feels his speed and size will be an advantage against the Washington Capitals. 

"He immediately becomes our biggest forward. So that's always a good thing," Quinn said. "He can skate. He plays with pace, and I liked him in training camp, and he's earned this opportunity. I feel really good for him."

Bailey has 11 points (six goals, five assists) through 16 games with the San Jose Barracuda this season. He leads the team in goals and powerplay goals (three) and is tied for second in overall scoring.

"My speed and my size using those two things," Bailey said about what he can bring to the Sharks. "Even when it might not be a night where you feel 100%, having the speed on the forecheck, [and] to be able to backtrack, being physical, and getting over pucks kind of eats up minutes in the O-zone."

Bailey's debut for the Sharks tonight is a testament to his hard work and dedication to hockey. His resilience will blend well with the Sharks. This team has been through a lot this season, and adding Bailey's style of play should only enhance that work ethic.

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

Pregame Preview #22: Sharks Host Capitals; Hertl Out With Injury

BREAKING: Sharks Star Injured; Will Not Play vs. Capitals

BREAKING: Sharks Sign Justin Bailey; Place Filip Zadina On IR

Sharks Prospects Becoming Stars In Amateur Hockey

• undefined