It’s been far from a typical NHL odyssey for Sharks winger Stefan Noesen.
Originally a first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2011’s NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators, Noesen was expected to ascend quickly through hockey’s minor leagues.
But two brutal injuries delayed Noesen’s development, pushing back his career timeline.
“I had an ACL injury and I had an Achilles injury,” Noesen told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Brodie Brazil. “For a player developing his first two years, his 20-year-old year and 21-year-old year, those are crucial steps in becoming a player.”
Despite being drafted by the Senators, Noesen never played a game for them.