Joachim Blichfeld

June 2019 – Stop me if you have heard this before, but here is another high scoring prospect out of junior who will be turning pro and looking to carve out a spot on the Barracuda next season. Barring some prospects moving to Europe, it is going to be tough to find room for them all. But you have to think the combination of Blichfeld’s frame, attitude, and the fact he won the WHL’s scoring title will mean he is pretty much a lock for the Barracuda. He will battle it out with a number of promising forwards hoping to get a look at the NHL soon. Chris Legg

February 2019 – Blichfeld is torching the competition in the WHL as he’s 14 points ahead of Tristan Langdon, who currently sits second. This torrid pace is great news for his development, yes his age needs to be taken into account, but scoring at this kind of rate is always a good sign. To put things in perspective, he is scoring at basically the same rate fellow Sharks prospect Jayden Halbgewachs did as an over-age player last season. Expect a year of development in the AHL for Blichfeld next season. Chris Legg

October 2018 – Blichfeld was cut from the San Jose Barracuda camp and returned to the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks in a bit of a surprising move. Blichfeld, now 20 years old, was projected to start the season in the AHL and begin his pro career. However, with a number of extra AHL caliber forwards in camp, he was unable to crack the Barracuda’s roster. Blichfeld’s game doesn’t seem to be affected by his disappointment, he’s already put up 17 points in just 7 games. Playing on a first line along with top prospect Cody Glass, you can expect huge numbers in the WHL from both of them this season. Unfortunately we’ll have to wait another year to see if Blichfeld can succeed at a higher level. Chris Legg

July 2018 – It appears the Sharks seventh rounder from 2016 is set to turn pro this season after a successful WHL career. Joachim Blichfeld posted 114 points in 119 games over two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks. Now the Danish winger will look to bring that production to the San Jose Barracuda. The Barracuda won’t have a ton of roster space next season, especially after adding a trio of European free agents, so Blichfeld will have to fight for a spot. He has the talent to step in to the Barracuda’s top-six, but an NHL look is likely a few years off. Chris Legg

January 2018 – With just three days left in 2017, Joachim Blichfeld signed his entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks. Since being drafted in the 7th round in 2016, the Danish winger has transitioned nicely to the smaller ice in a top-six role with the Portland Winterhawks potting 88 points in 89 games so far in The Dub. 

For the second time in as many years, Blichfeld was tapped by Team Denmark for the World Juniors Championship. In six contests, the focal point of the Dane offense registered three goals and three assists. Blichfeld had a scary injury in the final relegation game at the 2018 World Juniors Championship after being hit form behind. Blichfeld gave a thumbs up on his way off the ice and is back practicing with the Portland Winterhawks with a chance to play less than two weeks after what appeared to be his second head injury of the season. 

Blichfeld has developed into one of the more exciting prospects in juniors for the Sharks and is a player to monitor as he potentially heads to the professional ranks next season. Zachary DeVine

November 2017 – Blichfeld missed a few games with a concussion after he was caught with his head down. After a 28 goal, 58 point performance last year with a surprising Portland Winterhawks squad, Blichfeld again has been a key offensive driver on a squad with the likes of Kieffer Bellows and Cody Glass. Blichfeld looks to have filled out a bit more in his second WHL season and while his shot is still a bit slow to get off, it is very accurate with good instincts. The latest Dane prospect for the Sharks looks to be a keeper and is well on his way to earning an entry-level contract with the club. Zachary DeVine

February 2017 – The move to North America looks to be a fantastic one for the Sharks seventh round pick. After a strong start with the Portland Winterhawks, Blichfeld was a key contributor to the success of Denmark’s World Junior Championship side and recorded three goals and an assist in five games as Denmark qualified for the knockout round.

Upon his return to Portland, the newfound confidence is growing. The 6’1 winger has 22 points in the 17 games since returning and potted five goals in his last three games. Blichfeld has mostly been used on the Winterhawks top line, skating with 2017 top prospect Cody Glass. Through 48 games, Blichfeld has knocked home 24 goals and added 26 apples. The Sharks seem to strike gold in the latter stages of the draft and early returns on Blichfeld point in that direction again. Zachary DeVine

October 2016 – Blichfeld was one of the most noticeable forwards for the Sharks during the Rookie Showcase and came close to two goals, but found iron on two heavy wrist shots. Blichfeld will need some seasoning, but he had two goals for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks in the preseason and already has two goals and two assists in five regular season matches. He’ll get reliable professional guidance under former NHL bench boss Mike Johnston and plenty of opportunities as well with a younger Winterhawks team.  Zachary DeVine

August 2016 – Blichfeld was the penultimate pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft but the Sharks track record in developing late round picks puts the young Dane on the radar for the future. Blichfeld has never been on North American ice but got stronger in drills as he became more familiar with his surroundings. Blichfeld plays both wing positions and has a solid shot and exhibited some good instincts. His skating will need attention, his very upright style limited mobility at times. Like most young players, he will need to add bulk to his frame.

Blichfeld spent the last two seasons in Sweden as part of the Malmo Redhawks Junior program. He also was part of Denmark’s U18 squad. For the 2016-17 campaign Blichfeld will head to the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks as their second round, 85th overall selection. His transition to the North American game will kickoff in ernest this fall and be easy for the Sharks to monitor. Zachary DeVine