Jonathan Cheechoo
In the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the San Jose Sharks sent the 2nd overall pick (David Legwand) to Nashville for the third overall pick (Brad Stuart) and the 29th overall pick, which they used to draft Jonathan Cheechoo. The Sharks were criticized at the time for picking poorly in the draft and giving up on Legwand, but time would certainly spin a different story in that situation as Cheechoo began to emerge as one heck of a hockey player.
Cheechoo had a strong rookie season in the AHL with 66 points in 75 games. After going scoreless in the playoffs (in which he was a healthy scratch for two games), Cheechoo rebounded with 46 points (21 + 25) in 53 games, as he missed games due to a leg injury. In 2002-2003, after scoring seven points in nine games with the Cleveland Barons, Cheechoo was recalled to San Jose in the NHL. Playing mostly on the third and fourth lines, Cheechoo had a modest 16 points (9 + 7) in 66 games. During the 2003 offseason, Cheechoo put himself on a power-skating regime and reduced his body fat significantly, doing everything from weight work to sprinting exercises to increase his skating strength.
Cheechoo had 47 points in 81 games in 2003-2004. Playing alongside Mike Ricci and Scott Thornton, Cheechoo had two mentors who taught Cheechoo how to be more defensively responsible. Also, Cheechoo became one of San Jose's best grinders due to his improved upper body strength. In the 2005-06 season, Cheechoo took off, netting a franchise record 56 goals and 93 points. Much of Cheechoo's success was augmented by the Sharks acquisition of superstar Joe Thornton. Before the trade, Cheechoo had 15 points (7 goals, 8 assists) in 24 games. In the 57 games after the trade, Cheechoo had 78 points (49 goals, 29 assists). The combination was deadly.
Cheechoo is the first Shark to win the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded to the player in the NHL with the most goals in a season. The 2006-2007 season saw him end up with 69 points, 37 goals and 32 assists. The future looks bright for Cheechoo as long as he continues to use his skill to get to where the puck is. With Thornton on his side, he is nearly unstoppable.
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