For the first time in his career, San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro is playing meaningful NHL games in the month of March.
Over the past few seasons, the Sharks defenseman’s name has been floated during the buildup to the NHL Trade Deadline. This year is no different, but the noise is quieter. The 27-year-old is a pending UFA at season’s end, and very well could be moved at the deadline.
The San Jose Sharks dropped their first game out of the Olympic break, but have responded with two straight wins to stay in the race. For Ferraro, these games are the most fun.
“Meaningful hockey is fun hockey. Winning is always fun, but it’s even more fun when you’re chasing a playoff spot. You have a direction. You’re chasing the playoffs while you’re trying to win, you’re trying to get a look at the championship,” Ferraro said. “Whereas maybe in previous years, it was for development and feeling good about the team getting better. Now, we’re getting better when we win games and play better, but we’re chasing something now, and so it feels good. I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Ferraro’s importance to the team on the ice may be better supported this season, but the d-man remains an alternate captain. The arrival of veterans and Macklin Celebrini has helped shoulder some of the weight needed during big moments. Ferraro isn’t alone on an island anymore.
“Games are harder to win at this time of year. These last two wins are big. They’re important for our confidence. Edmonton is a team, and Winnipeg is a team; they’re fighting for a spot, right?” Ferraro said. “They’re competitive games, and to be able to win those at home in front of our fans is good for our confidence, but also, to prove to ourselves that we’re in this race and we deserve to be here.”
Mario Ferraro gave this fan a puck after losing a game of rock-paper-scissors 🩵 pic.twitter.com/79GYL6j6rc
San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky says the importance of Ferraro for the locker room remains high. While he might not show up on the scoresheet regularly, he does everything a hard-nosed defenseman should do.
“He’s been here a long time. We see it on a daily basis. He plays through injuries. He’s a competitor. If you looked up a definition of a competitor, Mario’s face would be right there, and his name would be right there, because he competes shift in and shift out,” Warsofsky said. “He gives you everything he has. He cares. He’s been a really important piece to getting us out of this funk that we’ve been in the last few years, as far as the losing hockey.”
Ferraro is happy to be a San Jose Sharks leader, and his importance to the team’s turnaround might finally get rewarded this season.
“We’re in the race. We’re in the hunt post [Olympic] break. It’s exciting. It hasn’t been that way here for a long time,” Ferraro said. “It’s meaningful hockey. The building’s full. Fans are excited. We’re more pumped up for games. We feel like we have something to prove.”
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