“My shot at redemption here” – Thomas Bordeleau charged up for last chance to play with the USA at WJC

“My shot at redemption here” – Thomas Bordeleau charged up for last chance to play with the USA at WJC

Thomas Bordeleau

Young American ice hockey player Thomas Bordeleau is all set to play for the United States in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship. The 20-year-old centre has five assists in eight National Hockey League (NHL) games after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on April 16.

For those who don’t know the reason behind Bordeleau’s participation at the 2022 WCJ is that the coronavirus pandemic cost him two chances to play at World Juniors and this is his third (final) shot. Unfortunately, the Texas native Bordeleau tested positive for COVID-19 right before the 2022 WJC, which was originally scheduled to be played from December 26, 2021, to January 5, 2022. 

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“It’s pretty simple,” Bordeleau said at the National Junior Evaluation Camp at USA Hockey Arena last week, as quoted by NHL.com. “I think just getting a chance to represent my country again. Obviously, what happened to me those two times was pretty unfortunate, so kind of my shot at redemption here.”

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“Will be good for me to play some real hockey”

Thomas Bordeleau
Thomas Bordeleau

Bordeleau had 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 37 games as a sophomore for the University of Michigan last season. Following this, he signed an amateur tryout agreement with the San Jose Barracuda of the American Hockey League (AHL) on April 12 which further led to a call-up from the Sharks to the NHL. 

“I think it will just be good for me to play some real hockey, real, competitive hockey, not just summer hockey, before my NHL camp,” Bordeleau said. “It’s going to be exciting.”

“I think it’s all about consistency, and there’s no room for a mistake, basically,” said Bordeleau, a second-round pick (No. 38) in the 2020 NHL Draft. “You know, you loop once, it’s in the back of your net. Obviously, with the puck, that’s kind of my strength, but I’ve got to definitely make plays quicker. Just my execution has to be a lot faster all around. But the defensive side is the biggest adjustment, for sure.”

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