By Lethbridge Herald on December 19, 2024.
By Justin Seward
Lethbridge Herald
Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman Will Sharpe is in second WHL season and is seeing overall growth in different areas of his game so far this season.
“I think just being in the league a little bit longer, you get a little bit more confidence in you,” said Sharpe.
“Obviously situations are different now (with not being) a first-year guy anymore. But yeah I think it’s just really based on trust, trusting your teammates, trusting your coaches and then you play your game (and) you go from there.”
Sharpe has taken steps with his offensive abilities and it has shown as he has doubled his points (23) so far this season compared to all of last year with 11.
“It doesn’t just come from myself,” said Sharpe.
“Obviously we (have) got a great group of guys here. So I think them helping me out has helped me out a lot.”
Sharpe has been tasked to play other team’s top players.
“It’s good challenges for myself,” said Sharpe.
“I think going into this draft year (and) getting that exposure to play against the other team’s top-end guys is a big thing for me to work on,”
Sharpe was named in the top 55 players list for the NHL Central Scouting Services Preliminary Players to Watch List and what it is like to play in front of scouts.
“You try not to focus on that too much,” said Sharpe.
“It’s a big year that you (have) kind of been waiting for your whole life as a hockey player. But I try not to focus on it as much. I kind of just go out there and play my game because in the end, if they like me, they like me.
Sharpe acknowledged the great group he plays with on the backend.
“We’re pretty deep, we’re strong, we got lots of guys that can skate (and) we got very skilled d-men,” said Sharpe.
“Yeah real happy with Sharpy’s progress,” said Bill Peters, Canes head coach.
“He’s taken a big step, playing big minutes, playing in our top four, playing in various spots on the powerplay and just playing well five-on-five. So as a young guy growing and maturing into his game, he’s done a good job figuring it out and being a valuable member of our team.”
Sharpe has 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 29 games this season so far.
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