The Sheet with Jeff Marek - On The Road: Sam Dickinson [Episode 7]

Episode Date: December 20, 2025

In the finale of On The Road, Jeff Marek sits down with Sam Dickinson, one of the most decorated junior defensemen of his era and the newest first-round pick of the San Jose Sharks for a rain-soaked cottage-country conversation. Fresh off a Memorial Cup championship, a CHL Defenseman of the Year season, and a dominant run with the London Knights, Dickinson lifts the curtain on his journey—from Toronto Marlies days, to being traded to London, to skating alongside NHL stars in Muskoka, and stepping into Sharks rookie camp for the first time.00:40 – Introducing Sam Dickinson1:45 – Life in Muskoka & summer training2:30 - The importance of cottage life3:00 - Training with NHL players4:05 - Early years with the Marlies6:30 - Remembering the OHL Draft7:35 - What makes the London Knights special8:30 - Being traded from Niagara to London9:50 - Dale Hunter’s impact10:35 - Draft day surprises11:35 - Sharks rookie camp experience13:55 - PK Subban influence15:55 - Teammate scouting reports: Cowan, Barkey, Bonk, O’Reilly, Halttunen19:30 – Thoughts on Macklin Celebrini22:10 - Dickinson’s Memorial Cup party25:00 - What Sharks fans are getting26:00 - What he still wants to improveThis series is presented by Airbnb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to today's edition of On the Road. Now, coming up in a couple of minutes, you're going to hear from Sam Dickinson. If you don't know who Sam Dickinson is already, you will soon. Here's a quick resume. Sam Dickinson, first round draft picks, San Jose Sharks. Sam Dickinson, OHL champion, Sam Dickinson, Memorial Cup champion, the CHL defenseman of the year. You're really going to enjoy this interview. Now, it's raining.

It's one of the realities of being up in cottage country. And I'll tell you what, our crew is the finest. This morning, they woke up and got everything set to shoot this outside. Drizzle's not going to scare them. Rain's not going to scare them. But I said, it's not happening, guys. Now, one of the best things, though, when you're up in cottage country, when it rains, is being inside, watching, listening, the sights, the sounds, taking it all in from the comfort of a couch, kitchen table, anywhere around the cottage. And in that spirit, we present Sam Dickinson of the London Knights and soon to be San Jose Sharps.

Come check out the set-up in this cottage on Airbnb. We're in Muscoca. This is cottage country. It's beautiful. We've talked to Sam Gagne of Muscoca Hockey. He's got a really great setup. I know you're skating here this week. What are years, and this is, again, like when you're this young, there's, like, when you're this young, there's, like after the draft and what's that summer like and now there's this summer where you're, you know, trying to relax yet at the same time, get ready to maybe make your debut in the National Hockey League. What is this summer like for you up here in cottage country for this time?

So I know your family has had a cottage for a long time as well. Yeah, I think, you know, my summers have always revolved around being up in my cottage. You know, I've always, you know, love to be up here and, you know, play golf and be on the water and you know kind of get away from the city and you know at the same time get away from hockey which i think is really important for you know anybody i think everybody uh you know plays hockey will say you know they enjoy time away especially in the off season you know when you want to be up here you want to you know uh have a good place to train and like you said with moscow hockey you know i've been been lucky enough to skate there the last little bit and

it's been so good i mean you know you think of the players that i'm lucky enough to go skate with and obviously sam being the guy running running the skates is unbelievable so you know that's been a tremendous help, and, you know, I don't think you'll find a guy who's going to complain about cottage country and cottage life. I may pick up on the skate as well, too. Like, you're part of the pro skate. Like, who's out there that you're like, whoa,

this is, this guy's a big deal. Yeah. I mean, today I showed up and Sam Bennett walked in the room and it was kind of like, you know, that's a two-time Stanley Cup champ. You know, it's pretty cool when you get to get it on the ice with the guy. Yeah, it's by the trophy. Yeah, exactly. He's had a pretty good career so far.

So, I mean, you know, anytime you get to step on the ice with a guy like that or, you know, just any NHL player, it's a pretty cool feeling. Yeah, that's got to be awesome. You were a really highly, even going into, going into the OHL, when you played with the Marlbrose in the GTHL, like you were always considered like, oh yeah, this guy's going to, this guy's going to be something, this guy's going to be something. You know, I remember I was with my, my oldest son at the OHL Cup, and there you were around the Marley's room still. You know, Johnson goes to the Ottawa State. 37's great young defenseman.

How often do you go back? Anything still with the Marley's? You know, Sam Gagne was, you know, sitting here talking to me and he's still talking about the Marley's days and growing up. And how much did that organization mean to you then and how much does it mean to you now? Yeah, I think going through it, it was, you know,

it was the coolest feeling. You know, the Marlboro's are, you know, one of if not the best, you know, minor hockey organization when you think of the guys that they've pumped out and, you know, just kind of the prestige of the name is a big thing. So going through it meant a lot to be a part of a team like that. And, you know, the coaches I was fortunate enough to play with

and the other great players I got to play with was, you know, nothing short of really special. And even now, I think, you know, like a guy like Sam, you know, it's been a while since, you know, he's worn a jersey and I think he'll kind of, you know, always, you know, support the Marley's and that kind of thing. And I think it's the same for me. You know, I love to, you know, kind of just keep track of,

you know, guys going through, guys in their draft year and, you know, see where they're going, just because, you know, it's a cool feeling to play for the Marley's. And I think, you know, it'll be something that I always kind of, you know, try to, you know, look back, keep tabs on and that kind of thing. I want to show you a picture. My kids still talk about this to this day. Now, if you want to feel old, the guy in the white helmet is going into his U-16 year.

The other one is in his U-14 year. That's you when you're playing with the Marleys at hockey factory. When you see, like, because you've taken tons of pictures with a kid sort of along the way. When you look at that, how young you were, like, A, what do you think of when you see something like that? And two, like, where was your brain at that point? Yeah, I mean, it's pretty cool to look back and see something like that.

I think, you know, it was probably the first time maybe anybody's asked for a picture with me. And I think I was still 15 at the time, you know, going into my job. People were talking about you, Sam, like, Sam Dickinson, like he's going to, he's going high. He's going high. Yeah, but I think, you know, at the time, it was just, you know, I was coming out of COVID. I didn't know what was going on.

I didn't know how hockey was going to play out or anything like that. So at that point, it was just, you know, going into the OHL draft, you know, still kind of learning about, you know, the OHL and different routes that you can go to, you know, get to the NHL is, you know, and I was, you know, freshly kind of learning about these things and kind of understanding, you know, everything about hockey and, you know, where potentially my life was going to go. Congratulations on Memorial Cup.

Congratulations, the defenseman of the year. What stands out for you from last season? I think it's, I think it's just the team success. I think, you know, you don't find a team that, you know, wins as many games and has as many points as we did. And I think coming off of, you know, the previous year, you know, obviously losing with, you know, 23 seconds left in the Memorial Cup final.

And I think right away after that game, it was a lot of, you know, we've got a lot of guys who are going to be coming back. You know, it's rare for a junior hockey team to be able to, you know, have two years in a row of a chance where you can go all the way. So I think that was, you know, from day one of training camp, it was always, you know, it's a lot of pressure, but a lot of guys in our team were like, you know, this is this is a Memorial Cup or bust kind of season for us. That's how we felt about our team. I think that's how the coaches felt. The management is, you know, through the entire organization, it was, you know, this team's got what it takes to win and have a really successful season. You know, London is like runaway one of maybe the most successful and prestigious franchises and not just the OHL, but the CHL. Why does it work? I mean, you've been there and out.

to see it up close and personal. Why does it work? Yeah, I think, you know, the first thing that you'll notice when you're there is Mark and Dale. They're the two best. It's the best head coach and the best general manager and junior hockey and, you know, probably some of the best in all of hockey. And, you know, it starts with them, the commitment and the dedication that they have, you know, and a lot of the times you could probably say it, you know, outdoes the players, you know, the commitment from them to, you know, having a game plan, always having a team that's competing, which is tough in junior hockey. I think it's pretty easy that it just starts with those two. And from that, it just

bleeds its way down through, you know, the other coaches, the other management. And then it's just instilled day one when you're there as a player. I was having a conversation with someone not too long ago trying to make the point that with London and you, you were the best trade the London Knights ever made, getting you from Niagara. Now, Dan Fritchie in like 2005 with that team was a big one, getting him from Sarnie. It was a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect. But you were probably the best trade that Mark Hunter ever made. Do you have a thought on that? Or what do you remember from being traded from Niagara to London?

My recollectal, it was a whirlwind. A whirlwind from, I think it was April 29th, April 30th. The draft, I think it was August 30th that I got traded. And, you know, it was a summer of uncertainty. I was going down to, you know, see if potentially the USHL was where I was going to play. you know college became a big route that I you know started to look at because I didn't know really where I was going to play at the time and you know it was pretty pretty easy once London came in and you know said they were interested in making a trade for me where it kind

of just you know pushed everything aside and I was like this is this is definitely the route for me you know myself my parents you know my agents the people that I trusted with hockey decisions for myself everybody said that that was the play for me and I think day one I showed up it was just it's a whole different world there compared to anywhere else, just the professionalism, everything that goes into being a London night, the pride that you get from being able to play for the nights, it's something like you don't get anywhere else. You know, I was told by someone close to it that you're one of Dale Hunter's favorite

players ever. How does that make you feel? You know what, that means a lot. Dale's done a lot for me in hockey and, you know, absolutely turned me into the player that I am today. I wouldn't be nearly where I am without him. But I think just as a person, Dale, you know, cares so much about each of the players, just on a personal level. You know, he's always coming out, you know, if he'll talk about his horses or anything other, you know, farming or anything other than hockey.

Oh, here come to the petroleum stories. Okay, here we go. Exactly, yeah. But, I mean, just the guy that, you know, has meant so much to everybody who's ever gone through the London Knights. You know, I think, you know, he's a guy where, you know, especially you talk to any players who ever played for him, you couldn't find a guy with a bad thing to say about him. So, you know, if you were to say I was one of his favorite players, that's, you know, it's a, that means a lot to me. Did you think it was going to be San Jose? No, it was a bit of a, a bit of a blind side, I think, a little bit.

Yeah. But I think going into the draft, I was just, you know, focused on, you know, where I was going to be. And obviously, everybody wants to go as high as they can. Everybody wants to be the first overall pick, a top three, top five pick. Everybody wants to go as high as they can. So, you know, as you kind of slide and, you know, the picks go on and you're not going, it's, you know, not the greatest feeling in the world. And, yeah, I think once I got picked by San Jose

right after it became, you know, I was so happy because of the spot that I was going to when you look at the young core that's already in place in San Jose and such a great place to play, great organization management, coaches, all that kind of stuff is, you know, trending in the right direction.

So, you know, right after the draft for me, it just became, you know, I was so happy to be a shark and be on a team that's trending in a really good direction. Hey there, it's Jeff Merrick here. Hope you've been enjoying this series as much as I've loved being part of the creation of it. You know, my wife and I both have countless memories

from spending time discovering Canada. Well, I always come back to the summer of 2005. We were staying at a cottage on Lake Joseph here in Muscoca watching the Live 8 music festival in Barry on television. My buddy Jeremy Taggart, former drummer from Our Lady Peace, dropped by after his band's set and stayed the rest of the weekend at the cottage after the band's set and told some incredible backs

stage stories about some amazing Canadian music icons. I will never forget that. And fast forward to today, I'm a hockey parent, and I feel like I'm always on the road with my family, whether that means traveling across southern Ontario hockey ranks during the week or overnight at tournaments on select weekends. But what makes our hockey experience even more special is booking a place on Airbnb when we're on the road for overnight tournaments. There's more room for the kids to have fun with their buddies at the house.

We can host teammates' families for dinners and video review screenings and everyone can get their own space under one roof and some well-earned shut-eye for the next day's slate of games, and they are many. All of this traveling got me to thinking, my home's just sitting empty when I could be hosting it on Airbnb instead. Hosting just fits into anyone's lifestyle, even mine. I'd simply put up my house on Airbnb, pre-select dates that I want to host, bam, it's practical, easy to manage, and it enables people like me to make some money

while they're not at home. Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.ca slash host. All right, Sam, let's go downstairs and I'll teach you how to play pool. And by that, I mean you'll dust me at pool. I'm ready for a lesson. Okay, here we go. It's to be humbling for me. Everybody has favorite players growing up. My favorite was Borya Salman. Man, what a defenseman, Boy, got that guy's eight. Who are your favorites growing up?

I think players growing up, my favorite guys were, as I was a Montreal Canadiens fan, being from Toronto, I think that's pretty weird. How does that work? Yeah. Well, my dad was a Montreal fan, and his dad was a Montreal fan. So I think by, you know, by association I had to be one.

But, I mean, for me, it was right in the time of P.K. Sue band, Perry Price. So those guys were two of my favorite players growing up. What was it about me? Your defense, what was it about Suban? Puck carrion, butt body checks. I'm sure you saw the Brad Marchand check a million times. But yeah, I think with with Suban, it was just, you know, like he seemed like a guy that was hard to not like obviously a great player kind of thing as well. Oh yeah, larger than life personality, all of it. You know, it was always exciting to, you know, see what he was up to. You know, he

follow him on Instagram or whatever. Talked a lot when he played kind of like someone else I might be playing pool with right now. If that went in, I meant to do it, but it didn't. When you got drafted, I'm always curious, you know, who sends you a note, who sends you a text? Anyone come to mind? Sure, there's going to be, you know, friends and family, but who gets in touch with? There's going to be the friends. There's going to be the family.

Those are the obvious ones. Who are the surprises for you? Yeah. I mean, I think right before the draft started, I gave my phone to. my mom and I told her to just hang on to it so it was probably a little while after but you know reading through there was obviously a lot of a lot of cool ones um you know from san jose i got a text from from luke coonin which was you know pretty cool to see just you know a guy on the team kind of thing and um i think probably the the most surprising one was um rob ramage um really so yeah he um

great defenseman right so you know um you know obviously playing for london and he knew uh you know mark and Dale really well. So it was pretty cool to get a text from him. And probably I'd say that one was maybe the most surprising one there. Some of your London Knights teammates, I don't want to sound like I'm interviewing you for the Combine. I'm pumping you for information about all of your teammates, which I know a lot of NHL teams do at the at the Combine. But like there's some like significant players. They're going to have like significant careers in the NHL. and you're top of that list, and so is someone like Easton Cowan.

I'm going to go over some names here. Just tell us what you think we should know about. Start with Easton Cowan. What should we know about him? I think the first thing I learned about Easton when I went to London was I don't know if I've met a guy who's more consistent through their day-to-day life with how they treat themselves and that kind of thing.

He's always one of the first guys in the rink. When I show up, I'd like to say I show up pretty early, but typically I'm showing up to the rank and he's already, you know, warming up, stretching, getting ready for, for, you know, our ice, which, you know, sometimes it's not for another hour and a half, and he's, you know, in there getting ready. And I think that's, that's one thing that I think I've said a lot about Easton is, you know, just the, the consistencies in his day-to-day life and how he, you know, takes care of himself,

you know, before games, after games, before practices, after practices, is it's something that I've, you know, tried to, you know, take things and implement them with myself. But, you know, he's someone that I think I've definitely learned a lot from. How about Denver Barkie? I think Denver is probably the most fun guy I've ever had playing hockey with. Really? I think when you go out on the ice with him, I don't know if there's a guy more creative than him. You know, when you give him the puck, you know, something good's going to happen.

A guy who wants to win so bad. You know, another guy who just who bled green, you know, love the London Knights. You know, obviously our captain, you know, was the heart and soul of our team. And just a guy who loves to, you know, keep it light when we're off the ice and just have a good time. But at the same time when game time comes, you know, he's the heart and the heart and soul of our team. first guy that's going to, you know, you know, take a guy's arm off to get the, just to get the puck, not even put it in the net. Another Flyers prospect, Oliver Bonk.

Yeah, I think me and Oliver, he was probably one of the first guys that I became really close with in London when I got there, you know, just kind of, you know, similarities, you know, playing D, you know, we got lucky enough where we got to play a lot of minutes together. So, you know, he'd drive me to school a lot when I was 16, so, yeah, he was my ride typically to school and, yeah, just a guy who, again, just, you know, great guy to be around. You know, a guy you want to have on your team when you think of them on the ice. I don't know if I've played with a guy who's block more shots than him. Oh, yeah.

He eats them. But, yeah, just another guy who just, same thing with Easton, you know, just guys who love London and, you know, even, you know, the two of them in Philly and then Easton and Toronto, they're just guys who, you know, as a fan, you just love to watch and, you know, an easy guy to root for. What about Sam O'Reilly? I mean, that was a pretty interesting trade in the off-season. He's now with Tampa.

Yeah, I think with him it's, you know, just how hard. he works, you know, every day he comes in and, you know, brings it. It could be a Monday practice after a three and three or a Tuesday practice after a three and three. And, you know, he's going, you know, all out every single time, 100%. You know, it's all he's really got wired in him. And, you know, it's pretty cool to see with a guy like that, just the commitment that he has, you know, just wanting to get better. And, you know, a guy who went from, from Junior B as a 16 year old to where he is now. Like, just the, the path that he's been on and the trajectory that I think he can go to is, you know, a pretty, a pretty special place.

He's going to be really good two-way player in the NHHR for a long time. Oh, yeah. Casper Halton. You're going to see a lot of him. Yeah. San Jose Sharks. Yeah. I got asked about him all the time now, so I think, yeah, I mean, it's pretty easy when you

just look at him, you think of the shot that he's got, you know, you could put the puck in from absolutely anywhere. But, yeah, again, just a guy who, like, everybody on our team, you know, day one, he stepped in, everybody, you know, loved having him around, a guy you always want to be around. He's always looking to play. golf. You know, I think he lies about his scores, but you know, we'll move on from that. We'll play again

soon. That would be the clip from the interview. Yeah. We'll see maybe if if he's telling the truth about his scores, but I guess we'll see when we play next. I tended to watch a lot of San Jose Sharks games last year, just because there was something in every single game

where whether it's, and most specifically, Maclin Celebrini, would do something and you'd go like, oh, wow. Like, that's incredible. I know it was a tough year, but it's a rebuilding team. But there was always something in every San Jose game where you get that glimpse to the future. There's something that Smith does, something that Celebrini does. Like, there's always something in there.

When you watch, I'll focus on Celebrini. When you watch Celebrini, what do you see as a player? I think when I stepped on him, stepped on the ice with him, you know, day one of rookie camp last year in San Jose. I think it was, you know, right away. I think in my mind it might have been, you know, this might be the best hockey player have ever stepped on the ice. He's incredible. Just, you know, the things he can do are, you know, like, he makes plays and I would have

been, I would have never thought to, you know, make a play like that. And, you know, next thing you know, we're getting into training camp when, you know, the rest of the, the Sharks team's showing up. And, you know, it's, again, it's, you know, he's still probably the best player on the ice with the things that he's doing. And then, you know, game one, it's five minutes in. He scores his first NHL go on a, you know, spin around a no look pass off a skate, but still just to think of making that play is,

You know, unbelievable. In the NHL. In the NHL. In your first, you know, I think it was probably his third shift or something. Just the, the creativeness that comes from his game is, you know, like something I've never seen. And, you know, it's going to be hopefully pretty fun to just, you know, stand behind the net and just look for 71 and, you know, look to pass the puck there. There are some players who love being miced up. There are some players who don't want any part of it.

You are part of the group that loves being micd up. You always been like this? I think so. I think I've always been a pretty, hopefully people would agree with me, likable guy. Yes. Yeah, I think, you know,

I don't think much changes with me when I'm micced up or anything like that. Like, I think when I got on the ice, you know, hockey's the most fun thing I'll ever do in my life. So, you know, I like to have fun when I'm out there and, you know, it's just kind of comes from who I am.

I think sometimes when I got on the ice, you know, I think just whatever, the person that pops in my mind just spits right out my mouth. And sometimes it's not pretty. Sometimes, I think when I get to the bench, you know, I'll just kind of talk to myself. If there's nobody around, you know, if there's good music going on, maybe I'll sing along a little bit. But, yeah, I think it's just, you know, at the same time, you know, hockey gets, you know, really serious.

So, you know, I try to be as lighthearted as possible when I can when, you know, sometimes, you know, the tensions get a little high. You know, sometimes it's important to just kind of, you know, take a breath, relax and sing whatever music's going on in the arena. Spoke to someone today who said, ask Sam about his moment. Memorial Cup party. I said, what about it? He said, it was a lot of fun. Tell us about your Memorial Cup party. Yeah, that was my, I'll give the credit to my brother.

I think he was the master planner behind a lot of it. But yeah, no, I mean, right when I kind of, you know, once, you know, the team sent out, you know, let us know when you'd like the cup as I was, you know, right away. Like, you know, I want to get a weekend with it and, you know, have as much time as I can with it. So, you know, it was Thursday I'm going down to pick it up in Niagara and kind of right away just bombed it up to the cottage from there. And Saturday night, I think we ended up having 30 of me and my brother's buddies, a couple guys from the team come up and stay at our cottage. So from there it was just kind of, yeah, it was the sleeping arrangements were a little tough. But in the end, we made it work. And yeah, I mean, you know, it's pretty easy to have a good time when you have that many guys together.

And I think everybody was, you know, pretty excited that, you know, the Memorial Cup was there. And, you know, it's cool for me to share it with, you know, a lot of my friends, you know, guys who I've known for, you know, my entire life, guys who have, you know, they may not think, but, you know, guys who have meant a lot to my hockey career and that kind of thing. So, you know, it meant a lot to me to, you know, bring it up there. And again, you know, bring it up to the cottage life. For sure. Like, I've always maintained, that's the hardest trophy to win. Because your window to do it is so small. And you're on a team that went there twice.

like that's that's remarkable but like do you have that perspective that i know everybody wants to win the stanley cup right career is probably going to be pretty long to to get there the memorial cup like you have a window that's tiny yeah to put together a championship team and not just win your league but then go and win this thing do you have that perspective like just on how big an accomplishment that was yeah i think i think it took a little longer for me to kind of fully understand that, you know, I was lucky enough where I stepped into London and, you know, year one, we're in the OHL finals, year two. I'm playing for Memorial Cup already in year three. I get lucky enough to win one. But yeah, I mean, like you said, I'd say it's one of the hardest

trophies to win. When you look at the, you know, the length of how long you're playing for and that kind of thing is, it gets tough. And I think just the group that we had in London, you know, made it that much more special where you think of, you know, the guys who were there for, you know, the three, all three years to be a part of that, even the guys who were there for, for one, for two years, whatever it may have been, you know, every guy who has ever, you know, played in London during, you know, for me, the three years that I've been there is, you know, played a crucial part in us getting to that. Sam, for San Jose Sharks fans who are watching this right now, in your own words, what is San Jose getting in Sam Dickinson? I think they're getting a guy who I think if you look at my track record, it's a guy that wins, you know, a guy that will do anything to win, you know, it doesn't matter, you know, what it is for me. if that's, you know, playing 30 minutes a night

and, you know, being the power play guy and penalty kill guy, you know, then, you know, I'm all for that. But at the same time, if it's me, you know, sitting on the bench and playing six minutes a night, you know, as long as the San Jose sharks are winning, you know, that's what they're getting for me, a guy who every time, you know, he's on the ice

is going to do whatever, whatever's needed to win. What do you think you need to work on still? I'm always curious about this, because, listen, one defender of the year, a defenseman the year, not just always, like, CHL, defenseman of the year. Like, that's a, that is an impressive list of players. I just wrote it down before, yeah, I came on.

So it's like Ellis and Hague and Shabbat and want to go way back, Chris Prong, or like, this is a pretty notable list of people that you've joined. But what in your mind do you still need to work on? I think, you know, the thing I've said a lot recently is, you know, my defensive side of my game. I think, you know, it's good enough. But, you know, to play at the NHL, everything needs to be the best. And, you know, I played defense. So, you know, I better be pretty good at the whole defensive thing.

So I think that's something that, you know, through the summer, especially I've looked to, you know, just continue to improve as much as I can. This has been a lot of fun. Sam, thanks, pal. Good luck with the sharks. Thank you. I'm going to be able to be.