San Jose’s Development Camp was a very productive event for the Sharks’ 2026 first-round picks. Second overall pick Ivar Stenberg impressed both coaches and his new teammates throughout the 3-day camp, culminating in both a goal on the final day’s scrimmage as well as his becoming the first of this year’s picks to sign a contract with his new team (first overall pick Gavin McKenna signed with Toronto the day after Stenberg inked his deal). The left-winger is projected to make the Sharks’ roster out of this fall’s training camp, and to slot into the Sharks’ top-9 forward group.
The camp also was a good opportunity for fellow d-men prospects Keaton Verhoeff (#9 overall) and Ryan Lin (#21 overall) to showcase their considerable skills. With Verhoeff’s exceptional size, puck retrieval & puck movement skills, he would have the chance to turn professional immediately. However, at this point Verhoeff is committed to attending the University of North Dakota for at least one more season to allow for further development of his skating skills. During his freshman season at UND in 2025-26, he succeeded in providing shutdown skills en route to helping guide the Hawks to a Frozen Four appearance.
Lin has chosen to pursue his hockey career at the NCAA level also. He will provide opposition to Verhoeff this season when he attends UND league rival and defending national champion University of Denver. He will seek to further develop his defensive prowess for the Pioneers, adding to his already noteworthy offensive attributes involving elite vision, edge-work & puck skills. In 2025-26, Lin recorded 57 points (14G 43A) in 53 games for Vancouver in the WHL, and will have the opportunity to fill the sizable void left by fellow Sharks’ prospect Eric Pohlkamp.
