Gulls Well-Represented at 2025 Golden State Rookie Faceoff in Irvine

Sep 12, 2025

By Nick Aguilera/SanDiegoGulls.com

Ladies and gentlemen, we have hockey.

After a long summer, skates are finally about to hit the ice for game action at Great Park Ice & FivePoint Arena in Irvine, Ca., as the Anaheim Ducks host the San Jose Sharks tonight to kick off the 2025 Golden State Rookie Faceoff.

There are plenty of Gulls connections in Irvine this weekend, with the team helmed by head coach Matt McIlvane and his two new assistant coaches Dave Manson and Michael Babcock.

In addition, 12 players on the Anaheim roster have laced up for San Diego in the past, including 11 from last season. The one who didn’t was goaltender Tomas Suchanek, who will make his return to the ice for the first time in 17 months after a torn ACL kept him out all of 2024-25.

"My favorite part of development camp [in July] was watching [Suchanek] in net as a full participant," McIlvane said. "He’s got so much confidence, and he looked great… I know for him, he’s chomping at the bit. He’s built such a strong rapport in San Diego. We can’t wait to watch him go again."

One of three players who appeared for the Gulls full-time last season on this year’s roster is Nico Myatovic, who will be the veteran on the squad with multiple Rookie Faceoff appearances under his belt.  A breakout candidate in San Diego this year, he offered some advice to help some of the young Ducks find their footing during the four-day camp.

"Just soak it all in," Myatovic said. "It’s kind of a cliché but it’s important. It’s the first time a lot of these guys are putting on an NHL sweater. Also just attack it. I remember my first camp, I was kind of starstruck with the NHL logo and stuff, but I think all these guys have to feel at home and they’re all brought here for a reason, so just play their game."

The Ducks will have two exhibition games over the weekend in Irvine, wrapping up with a 1 p.m. game against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday.