San Jose Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni says he is ready to jump to professional hockey after he signed his entry-level contract today.
San Jose Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni says he is ready to jump to professional hockey after he signed his entry-level contract today.
San Jose Sharks prospect Luca Cagnoni says he is ready to jump to professional hockey after he signed his entry-level contract today.
Cagnoni, 19, scored 90 points in 65 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. His team made it to the WHL playoff finals but was knocked out by the Moose Jaw Warriors.
"It was super cool. I think one thing we talked about a lot is this flying [to games]. That doesn't happen too much in the WHL," Cagnoni said about the playoff run. "Just the atmosphere. You get sold-out barns and stuff like that. It's super cool. The hockey is just a game of inches. It really comes down to one bounce either way."
Cagnoni had three goals and ten assists in 13 playoff games.
The defenseman's high-scoring season was historic. No WHL defenseman has scored 90 points since 1993, when Shane Peacock scored 102.
"I think a lot of it was just trying to be creative. Every team does their research now, and they know how to shut down guys and what to do to take away their abilities," Cagnoni explained. "You have to get out of your comfort zone and try some new stuff. [I] definitely implemented some new moves. [I added] some stuff on the blue line, just some powerplay stuff that really helped me out this year. A lot of it was shooting the puck, [and] being more of a threat from the blue line or getting to the slot areas and taking guys on one-on-one."
As for what's next for Cagnoni, he wants to jump to pro hockey and at least play for the Sharks AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda.
"Just try to hopefully crack the AHL roster and get some games up there. That's the that's the hope right now. That's the goal," he said. "You always want to move up, and I got lucky to have a late birthday. I'll be 20 next year, and I'll be able to play in the AHL. That definitely works in my hand a little bit."
Cagnoni is a Vancouver native, much like Macklin Celebrini, the Sharks' projected No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The Sharks are projected to select the Boston University forward, and Cagnoni would enjoy playing with Celebrini at this Summer's development camp.
"It's pretty exciting. I mean, just another generational player. I think we all saw what he did this year. It's pretty special," Cagnoni said of Celebrini. "It's exciting to hopefully get him into this organization because he'll definitely make an impact."
Cagnoni worked on his defensive game a lot this season and attributes his Winterhawks coaches and Sharks development coach Luca Sbisa. He told reporters that there were many conversations throughout the season with Sbisa.
At 5'9, the young defenseman compared his playstyle to Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Colorado Avalanche defensemen Cale Makar and Sam Girard.
"For sure, Quinn Hughes. He's kind of a similar build to me. I think we skate the same. Move the puck the same," he said. "Cale Makar is the guy on the blue line that I definitely watched and he's definitely really good defensively. Girard is another smaller guy, but he's feisty and goes into corners. Definitely been watching those three guys a lot."
Cagnoni will likely join the Sharks at development camp in July.
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