Mason Marchment didn’t need long to find a rhythm beside Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith on the first day of Sharks training camp. The new San Jose winger said the connection started to come together after a few shifts, with the three of them talking through what each wanted and where each wanted the puck.
“Talking a lot on the bench and them telling me where they like it, where they want it, and for me, just telling them where I want to go and where I like to be,” Marchment said. “It doesn’t really happen just right away, but today, was a good step for sure.”
For Marchment, this move carries a personal weight that goes well beyond hockey. The 31-year-old is back around an organization that shaped much of his childhood, with his father, Bryan Marchment, having played for the Sharks and later worked in the front office for years.
That return has brought plenty of memories with it. Marchment talked about what it means to his family, including plans for his mom and sister to come down and spend time in the area he once called home.
“It’s pretty cool. I get chills just thinking about the memories and growing up in here.
Just so many memories. Walking down Willow Glen, and there’s my childhood memories.
So it’s really cool. My mom and sister, it’s going to be exciting to have them down, and bring them back.
We used to live in Silver Creek, so take them out there and just explore a little, and it’ll be pretty cool.”
He also had plenty to say about the updates around Sharks Ice, where the changes clearly made an impression.
“It’s awesome. This [San Jose Sharks video] room used to be my favorite room.
It used to be the old equipment room. I used to sneak in here every now and then, [equipment manager Mike Aldrich] would get pissed.
It’s awesome. It’s pretty cool.
It’s definitely weird to come in here and not have the ledge over there anymore and a bunch of stuff, but they did an excellent job and I think the boys love it.”
Marchment isn’t walking into this room alone, either. He’s reunited with Ty Dellandrea, and the two already have a history that stretches beyond this camp. Marchment called Dellandrea “an unbelievable person” and praised the way he carries himself every day.
He also made clear that the connection is more than just hockey familiarity. When Marchment was in town before, Dellandrea showed him around, and the relationship has even included dinner at the Marchment house.
“He likes to come over and get some home-cooked meals from the Marchments.”
On the ice, Marchment said the Sharks are looking to defend in a different way this season. His description centered on taking away time and space, especially for skilled opponents in the offensive zone.
“Just giving the O-zone guys less time with the puck, trapping down and not let letting them roll around the ice. Keeping our D at the net and boxing out. Stuff like that that’s just going to make it harder for those skill guys to have time and space with the puck.”
That kind of detail fits the role Marchment says he wants to play in San Jose. He described leadership as communication first - not barking, not overcomplicating things, just helping younger players with small corrections in the right setting.
“It’s just talking, never being too hard on guys, but just communicating. If you see something little, just pull them aside, not angrily or in front of people.
Just try to help out as much as you can that way. A lot of these young guys, they love the game, so they’re very eager to learn.
It’s not hard to just have that quick conversation, and they want to learn.”
He’s also buying into where the Sharks are headed. Marchment pointed to the progress the team has made over the last two or three years and said San Jose has become tougher to play against each season.
“You guys can see it, where they’ve come from the last two, three years. They’ve just gotten better and better, and harder to play against every year.
So for me, just coming in and trying to play my game and help out as much as I can. It’s just an exciting time to be a Shark.
Growing up here as a kid, the Shark Tank was one of the best buildings to play in in the league. Hopefully, we can get it back there.”
And there was one more camp detail that stood out to him: no fitness testing. Marchment said it was a first for him, and first for everyone, and he was happy to arrive at the first skate feeling fresh.
“That was kind of crazy. That’s a first for me and first for everyone. It was pretty nice to be a little fresh going into the first skate for sure.”
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