Jonah Gadjovich speaks about his treatment from the Canucks and the opportunity ahead in San Jose

Jonah Gadjovich is going to get a shot in the NHL.

The former 2017 second-round draft selection of the Vancouver Canucks was picked up by the San Jose Sharks off of waivers on Thursday morning.

Gadjovich had nothing but nice things to say about the Vancouver Canucks’ organization on his way out. He joined Donnie and Dhaliwal – The Team on Thursday.

“I have nothing but good things to say about them” said Gadjovich when asked if he thought the Canucks treated him fairly since being drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft. “They drafted me, they developed me, they stuck with me, even when I was going through tough times, and I really appreciate everything they did for me. I loved it here. I can’t say enough good things.”

Through my years of dealing with hockey players, there aren’t many as kind as Gadjovich. It’s tough to see a good person leave the organization. He will finally get his NHL chance with San Jose.

“For the Sharks to give me this opportunity, I’m going to do whatever I can to stick with that team and prove that they made the right decision.”

Gadjovich struggled in his first pro season but found a heck of a scoring touch in his final two seasons with the Utica Comets. That included scoring 15 goals in 19 AHL games last season.

The knock on his game has always been his skating. He told CanucksArmy that he lost 10 pounds this summer and made a massive commitment to improving his weakest ability. It was clear that he did improve his skating. He was quicker at this year’s training camp and played well enough to deserve a shot in the NHL.

“It’s been consistent effort over the last several years,” said Gadjovich. “Honestly, it’s not just one summer that turns things around, it’s the consistent effort. I have a drive deep within me to play in the NHL. I just want it so bad and like I’ve said over the past few years, I’ve really been dialled in and I think you can see that in my game. Since my first year in Utica, I think I’ve taken steps every year. I think this summer was a big step. I worked a lot on my skating, I worked a lot on my strength, speed and explosiveness. I feel like I showed well, I’m right there, and I’m excited to get this opportunity.”

Though his skating is in question, there’s something about Gadjovich in where pucks just seem to find the back of the net. He’s not pretty but he scores goals.

Sometimes, things just don’t work out. Gadjovich was a controversial pick in the Canucks’ front office. Kole Lind fell and someone notable now infamously wondered why nobody was selecting Lind, while someone else was likely wondering why Gadjovich wasn’t being taken. He just didn’t say it out loud on the Canucks’ YouTube video.

Should Gadjovich have gotten a better chance with the Canucks in the preseason?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Time will tell if he can chalk up an NHL career.

He had some words for Canucks fans at the end of his quick interview with Don Taylor and Rick Dhaliwal.

“I want to say thank you to all the people that supported me. I appreciate everything that the Canucks have done for me. To the fans, the support from the fan base is great. I wish them all the best.”

We wish him all the best and thank Gadjovich for giving CanucksArmy so many exclusive interviews over the years.

He’s going to go bang pucks in the crease and bodies in the corners. We wish him the best in San Jose and it’s too bad it couldn’t work out here in Vancouver. We need an AHL success story. I guess we will wait for Mikey DiPietro, Jett Woo or Danila Klimovich.

Another one bites the dust.