Jamie McGinn

Astute drafting has helped the Sharks evolve into a perennial contender. Although superstars Dany Heatley, Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle came from outside the organization, homegrown players like Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski and Douglas Murray are the foundation on which this team is built.

The Sharks have already begun building the groundwork for the future. Due to the organization’s recent success they have not been merited with early draft picks.

When the calendar still reads July, and the buzz over the early portion of NHL free agency period has come and gone, hockey writers are simply pulling teeth trying to find worthy news to post about.

In fact, from Mid-July to the start of team training camps in September is probably the least exciting time period of the year for hockey fans.

This was a follow-up question I asked Randy Hahn after talking about young players on the Sharks who we should look for contributions from in 2010-11. To see that question, read the companion piece on Shark-Infested Blogger.

The San Jose Sharks did accomplish something significant in the 2009-10 NHL season.

For what it's worth, they are no longer the biggest choke artists in hockey.

Through the jungle of big-name players and a glistening 28-9-7 record, many of you might be unfamiliar with the name Jamie McGinn.

But the Sharks, their fans, and McGinn's travel agent have gotten to know him well this season.

Last season and earlier this season, San Jose gave the 21-year-old McGinn a chance to get a taste of NHL action to see what he could do.

In 35 games last season, "Ginner" netted four goals and two assists. Through 38 games this season, McGinn has seven goals and one assist.

On Oct. 30, 2008, an extremely unknown rookie winger was playing in just his second career game.

After receiving just 5:35 in ice time two days earlier in his first career game, it wasn't likely that Jamie McGinn would see much more time on the rink against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

But while playing just a little over seven minutes, McGinn scored his first career goal to give the Sharks a 2-1 lead about half-way through the second period.