WHL Alumni Spotlight - Devin Setoguchi

Devin Setoguchi must have to pinch himself every time he steps onto the ice nowadays.

Just a year ago, the 20-year-old from Taber, AB, was skating for the Prince George Cougars in the Western Hockey League. Now, Setoguchi is lining up beside some of the world's best players like Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Jonathan Cheechoo as a rookie with the San Jose Sharks.

Drafted by the Sharks with the 8th overall pick at the 2005 NHL draft, Setoguchi has acquitted himself nicely in his first NHL campaign, tallying seven goals and eight points in 14 games this season. The 6'0”, 205-lb right wing even enjoyed a stretch where he found the net in four straight games, racking up five tallied in that span.

Always known as a high-end sniper with strong offensive instincts and a great, deceptive shot, Setoguchi piled up 118 goals over four seasons in the WHL with the Cougars and the Saskatoon Blades, and another 19 goals in 29 career playoff games.

After a strong start to his NHL career, it appears Setoguchi will be a fixture on the score sheet for the Sharks for years to come.

Devin Setoguchi's Perspective


On the start to his NHL career...

“It's been a great experience so far. Personally, I had a great start, but we have had our struggles as a team. The speed and quickness of the game is definitely way more intense than it is in the WHL. You have to be smarter, and you always have to be ready, and you really have to think the game faster.”

On playing with Joe Thornton and Jonathan Cheechoo...

“It's amazing. It was like a dream come true at first, but now it becomes more of an everyday thing and you get used to seeing these guys and playing with them. It's something that you never think you'll have the opportunity to do in your entire life, but when it happens it's an amazing feeling.”

On buses versus planes...

“The travel is much different, and a plane will beat riding a bus any day, for sure. But, we've still got a tough travel schedule being on the west coast. I'm used to taking those 10 or 12-hour bus rides in the WHL, so I'll take a four or five-hour plane ride any time.”

On staying in touch with his old WHL teammates...

“I definitely try and keep in touch with some of the players I played with over the years. I talked to Ty Wishart the other night after the (ADT Canada-Russia) game, and found out they had lost, and I have a couple of friends heading down here to catch a game later in the year. It's good to keep up with how some of my old teammates are doing.”

Jesse Watts
whl.ca


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