CHICAGO – Sharks general manager Doug Wilson is typically restrained in his public praise for players in the system. "We don't like to over promote our prospects" is a phrase he's used countless times.
That's what made his instant comparison of Sharks first round pick center Josh Norris to a current core player so unexpected.
"We think – I hate doing this, but I'm going to – [Norris has] a lot of the Logan Couture attributes to him," Wilson said on Friday at United Center, shortly after presenting Norris with a teal sweater.
Wilson also made note of Norris' confidence, which was evident in the 18-year-old's media availability. Norris described himself as "a 200-foot player. I think I can give you a little bit of everything: power play, penalty kill, faceoffs, can chip in offensively. I think I kind of do a little bit of everything." He added that he attempts to pattern his game to Maple Leafs center Tyler Bozak.
Like most players that aren't top five selections, Norris isn't likely to make the NHL roster in the fall. He's set to attend the University of Michigan in the fall.
Still, Wilson suggested that it might not take long for the six-foot, 189-pound Oxford, Michigan native to make the leap.
"He's a kid, the way he plays and the way he thinks, he potentially could fast track. So, we'll see," Wilson said.
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Norris had some familial help on his journey to draft day. His father Dwayne had a few cups of coffee in the NHL with the Quebec Nordiques more than two decades ago, playing 20 career games from 1993-96.
Dwayne Norris was right there to congratulate his son, who was no sure thing to go in the first round as the 34th ranked North American skater, according to NHL Central Scouting.
"He just said how proud of me he was, and it was kind of a big moment we had that I'll remember for the rest of my life," Norris said about his conversation with his father.
Norris' stats suggest he has an ability to create offense, as he posted 27 goals and 61 points in 61 games for the U.S. National Under-18 team last season, and added 12 goals and 26 points in 25 games in the USHL.
"I think I'm a little bit of a goal scorer and a playmaker," Norris said. "I think I'm really good in my defensive zone. I think I have a lot of upside on the offensive side of my game that I'm going to continue to work on."
Wilson said: "We think he's a mature player."
Norris had a strong showing at the NHL combine, leading all 104 draft-eligible players in attendance in five of the 14 fitness tests. Those results, along with a strong interview, made Norris an appealing target for San Jose.
"He's arguably one of the most athletic guys in the combine," Wilson said. "His interview was phenomenal. If you go back in his history in big games he's stepped up in a big way, and that's the type of guy we're looking for."
Norris, who played baseball as a shortstop until age 13, said: "I wasn't too nervous going to the combine. … I just tried to make good impressions on teams. The physical testing aspect of it, I've always been a pretty good athlete."
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Norris will make his first-ever trip to California in early July to take part in the Sharks' development camp.
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Just before the Sharks' contingent made its way to the stage to select Norris, Wilson was spotted talking with Washington general manager Brian MacLellan. After a brief exchange, MacLellan shook his head, and Wilson went back to the San Jose table and gathered his group to head to the podium.
Asked about the chat, Wilson said it was not about the 19th overall pick.
"We were actually looking at some other things, some other picks that we had," Wilson said. "Some teams had reached out to us, and we're planting our seeds a little bit for tomorrow already."
The draft concludes on Saturday, with the second round beginning at 7 a.m. PT.
