Justin Bailey joined the San Jose Sharks organization on a PTO but has since found his home at the NHL level.

Justin Bailey joined the San Jose Sharks organization on a PTO but has since found his home at the NHL level.

Bailey has played 11 games at the NHL level this season, tallying five points (1 goal, 4 assists). Sharks head coach David Quinn has placed him on the third line and rewarded him with extra ice time at times.

"I know what my role is. I know what my job is, and that's playing with a lot of pace," Bailey told THN. "Getting up and down the rink, putting pressure on other teams on the forecheck, and making sure that I'm playing with high effort."

Bailey scored his first goal in the NHL in over five years against the Winnipeg Jets. 

"He's a noticeable player every shift he's out there," Quinn said. "He's big. He's rangy. I just love his consistent effort."

While his on-ice play is consistent, Bailey has found a way to become comfortable living in San Jose.

"If we have a day off, I'm trying to see what my teammates are doing, whether it's breakfast [or] brunch," Bailey said. "I'll play a little bit of Xbox here and there."

Bailey told THN that he is half-Italian. He loves to stay connected with his family back home in Buffalo. 

"I'm half Italian. I'm very close to the Italian side of my family," Bailey said. "Once I get home from the rink, it's a combination of seeing old teammates that might be in town for dinner and then calling back home."

Bailey is also an avid golfer. While with the San Jose Barracuda, he said he played some rounds with Sharks defenseman Henry Thrun. 

"We have a pretty nice golf hookup. I like to get out there and golf [when it's nice]," Bailey said. 

Bailey estimates his handicap to be around 10.

His play and effectiveness have influenced the team on and off the ice. 

"I think the guys see his effort [and] they see the tracking, the forechecking, and the playing fast mentality that he has, and it's infectious," Quinn said. "If he continues to play like this, he certainly will be [here for the rest of the season]."

Bailey has overcome multiple significant injuries and settled into an NHL role where he can be successful on the ice and in his personal life. 

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

Former Sharks Defenseman Gets Special Honor

Anthony Duclair Explains Why the Sharks Benched Him

Sharks Captain Gets One Step Closer To Return

Assessing Anthony Duclair's Trade Value to Sharks

• undefined