How Collin Graf, the undrafted son of engineers, became a top-line goal-scorer on a resurgent Sharks squad

"He's put in a lot of work, Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said. When he first came in, in the NHL, the pace is extremely high. So he went in after the summer, put a lot of work in last year to get the pace up. And now his details, his hockey sense is really what sticks out the most. He's a smart individual. And now he's added another layer to his game with the checking component."

"My mom just wanted me to learn how to skate, Graf said. And then when I was skating, there were hockey players on the other side of the ice, and I guess I told my mom that I wanted to do that. So then it took me like two years to get good enough at skating to become a hockey player. And ever since, I've been a hockey player."

"Collin Graf may have been born to play hockey. He certainly didn't know it at the time. But these days, Graf is making headlines on the ice. Most recently, the second-year Sharks forward scored two goals Thursday night in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, notching the first multi-goal game of his career. Playing on San Jose's top line with Macklin Celebrini and rookie Igor Chernyshov, Graf finished off a pass from Celebrini in the crease and potted another net-front pass from Chernyshov."

Collin Graf, a 23-year-old second-year forward for the San Jose Sharks, scored two goals in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, marking his first multi-goal NHL game. He played on San Jose's top line with Macklin Celebrini and rookie Igor Chernyshov, finishing one goal from Celebrini and another from a net-front pass by Chernyshov. Graf secured a roster spot out of training camp and has appeared in 34 of 35 games, compiling 18 points. Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky credited Graf's increased pace, improved details, hockey sense and added checking ability. Graf grew up in Lincoln, Massachusetts, the son of engineers Robert and Theresa, and began skating because his mother wanted him to learn.

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