OTTAWA — San Jose Sharks goalie Laurent Brossoit could make his first NHL start since April 18th, 2024, and has endured a long journey to get back.

Brossoit, who was recalled on Friday due to Yaroslav Askarov’s injury, spoke to reporters on Saturday about his journey and his physical health. The 32-year-old wants a chance to prove he can still play at an NHL level, but getting the call-up from the AHL is always a dream come true.

“It was great. I mean, I feel like I’ve gotten that call a few times in my career. I’ve had to make it back here a few times,” Brossoit said. “Obviously, anytime you get a call to come back up here, it’s a dream come true every time that it happens. It almost feels better each time, because you know how great it is, and how great a lifestyle [it is]. Just keeping the dream alive, it means a lot.”

The San Jose Sharks acquired Brossoit for goaltending depth. Head coach Ryan Warsofsky told reporters he is comfortable starting the veteran in goal, stating that’s exactly why the team traded for him.

“Really comfortable [playing him]. That’s why we traded for him. Give us some depth for this situation,” Warsofsky said. “He’s been playing some really good hockey down there for the Barracuda, so we’ll see if we’ll see him.”

Although the Sharks won’t hold a morning skate on Sunday, Warsofsky is expected to speak at approximately 2:30 p.m. ET. Due to the back-to-back games, Brossoit is likely the starter.

“Of course [I look at the schedule]. I’m assuming that’s a big reason why I got called, right? So immediately, without any hesitation, you’re gonna look at the schedule and see where I might get an opportunity,” Brossoit said. “I don’t look as far ahead as this back-to-back, and hopefully I get a shot, and I’ll be ready for it.”

When it comes to his physical health, the Sharks goalie missed the entire 24-25 NHL season due to knee issues, except it wasn’t actually his knee. Brossoit revealed that a hip issue was the cause of his knee problems. Back in 2022, Brossoit had surgery on his left hip to fix a bone growth. After multiple knee surgeries on the right leg, the Sharks’ goalie finally found the source of his pain.

Brossoit feared his career was over after he and his doctors couldn’t identify the source of his injury.

“It wasn’t a question of if I can get back here. It’s actually a question if I can play again. At the time, we didn’t know what was going on with my knee. A couple surgeries later, we saw no answer, so it was looking pretty bleak there in the summer,” Brossoit said. “Then we found out that the source is the hip. I had the left hip done in Vegas, so it was kind of inevitable. Apparently, once you get one done, the other is going to need it eventually. So [I’m] glad that we figured that out. Once I was back playing, it was, I know what I can bring. I was of the mindset that it was more of a matter of time.”

Brossoit has been stellar for the San Jose Barracuda, going 11-2-1 with a team that is decimated with injuries. With injuries as significant as the ones Brossoit has had, preparation, rehab, and recovery are always at the front of my mind, or at least they were. The San Jose Sharks goalie says that over the past two weeks, he has felt the best he’s physically felt in his career.

“There’s a lot of growing pains still the first couple months and and lot of rest, but I would say this past two week stretch, I think my hip and body is really starting to settle in and and give me kind of the mobility that I need to feel a bit more balanced out there and and not have to be so tense, just to stay on my feet,” Brossoit said.

“I’m starting to feel really comfortable again, which is an absolute blessing. I figured I’d have some pains to deal with the rest of the way, and I was mentally prepared for that. But to be honest, this is the best I’ve ever felt. I’m really excited to have that much mobility in my hips, and to be able to move forward and sharpen the game, rather than thinking about just trying to get back to full health.”

Brossoit can fully have fun with his game again

Brossoit’s career numbers in the NHL are very good, but he’s never been a true No. 1 goalie. He’s been put in positions to carry a team through a Stanley Cup Playoff run, but injuries kept getting in his way. In 140 career games, the Sharks’ goalie has a save % of .911 and a GAA of 2.64.

Brossoit is back to having fun playing the game again. While he never stopped enjoying playing, he has less on his plate to worry about, and his focus goes to stopping the puck.

“It’s incredible, honestly. Before, it’s an uphill grind. You still enjoy [it], obviously. It’s still rewarding, but now that I can save some energy for performance, rather than just constantly trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, it’s great. I’m having a lot of fun out there. Especially the last month.”

Brossoit had a lot of fun in just his third game back from injury. The Sharks’ goalie was playing for the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL and scored a goal.

Both Alex Nedeljkovic and Brossoit have scored a goal in the AHL in their career. Nedelkovic has also scored at the ECHL and NHL levels.

Yaroslav Askarov’s injury is deemed minor, but Brossoit has all the tools to fill in during the most important games of the season.