The 20-year-old center, who has five assists in eight NHL games after signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on April 16, may be preparing for training camp instead of starting at eight. Started playing in Edmonton this month. 9-20.
“It’s simple,” Bodlow said last week at the National Youth Assessment Camp at USA Hockey Arena. “I think it’s just another opportunity to represent my country. Obviously, what happened to me on those two occasions was very unfortunate, so here’s my redemption.”
what happened?
Basically, the coronavirus pandemic has cost Poldelo two chances to play in the world youth team. It was his third and final shot.
WJC 2021 was originally scheduled to take place in Edmonton from December 25, 2020 to January 5, 2021. Bordeleau’s roommate, center John Beecher, tested positive for COVID-19 the day before the team set off for the game. Both players were ruled out of the game because Poldero was a close contact, although Beecher later tested negative.
The United States went on to win gold.
Bordeleau then tested positive for COVID-19 himself before the 2022 WJC, which was scheduled to take place in Edmonton, Alberta and Red Deer, from December 26, 2021 to January 5, 2022. However, one game after the U.S. race was called off on Dec. 29 due to coronavirus concerns. It was later rescheduled for March 19.
Now, the game will restart, as will Bordeaux. The NHL Network will broadcast every preliminary game the U.S. plays, as well as select other games.
“I think it would be good for me to play some real hockey, real, competitive hockey, not just summer hockey, before my NHL training camp,” Bodello said. “It’s going to be exciting.”
As a sophomore at Michigan last season, Bodlow had 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 37 games. He signed an amateur draft deal with the American Hockey League’s San Jose on April 12 after the Wolverines were eliminated by the University of Denver in the Frozen Final Four. Four days later, Bodello signed with the Sharks and was drafted into the NHL.
He quickly knew what he had to do to succeed at the next level.
“I think it’s all about consistency, basically no room for error,” said Bodello, a second-round pick (No. 38) in the 2020 NHL draft. “You know, you loop once and it’s behind your net. In college, I could get away with it. In juniors too. But there, you can’t [mess] Get up, or you’re really in trouble.
“Yeah, I honestly think that’s the most important thing. Obviously, with ice hockey, that’s my forte, just making games and stuff like that, obviously I have to make games faster. It’s just that my execution has to be around Much faster. But the defensive end is the biggest adjustment, of course.”
This summer, Poldero went on to compete with Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Championships in Helsinki and Tampere, Finland, scoring two goals in eight matches.
Still, it’s unclear if Boldero can play at WJC, as the Sharks are looking for a general manager to replace Doug Wilson, who stepped down on April 7 to focus on his health. Mike Greer was hired on July 5, though, and about a week later, Bodlow told Team USA head coach Nate Liman that he could go.
“He knew the opportunity was taken away a few times, and he knew how special it was to play this game and play for his country,” Liman said. “I salute him. I’ve been texting him all summer and when he says he’s joining, I’m really excited.”
Bordeleau is excited that next season his coach with the Sharks will be David Quinn, who has coached the World Championships with Team USA. Quinn was hired by San Jose on July 26.
However, Boldero and Quinn are actually a step further than the World Championships. Quinn coached Boston University from 2013-18; Bordeleau went there on his first college visit.
“There’s a lot of change in the organization right now, a new beginning, so it’s going to be interesting,” Bodello said.
This World Youth Championship will provide good preparation.
“I’m the type of player that I don’t need to put on weight,” said Bodello, who is 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds. “I just have to get stronger. For me, it’s really just getting more drag in fights and stuff like that. Just playing more hockey isn’t going to be so bad for me.
“I just need to be more explosive, faster, stronger and ready to play against the grown men. I think obviously want to get a lot of minutes, a lot of ice time, and I think it’s a good camp for me.”
