Ducks Rookie Sherwood Continues Pursuit of Lifelong Dream

Kiefer Sherwood goes about his business in a quiet, unassuming manner, one that is on display as he sits in a locker stall with Ducks teammates Carter Rowney to his left and Brian Gibbons to his right. Directly across from him are Andrej Sustr, Marcus Pettersson and Cam Fowler. In a locker room that also includes veterans Ryan Getzlaf, Adam Henrique and Andrew Cogliano, Sherwood is here because he has earned the opportunity.

Undrafted, Sherwood played three years of college hockey at Miami (Ohio) University before he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Ducks on March 20, 2018. The Columbus, Ohio native recorded 30 points (9g/21a) in 36 games with the RedHawks last season, and finished his collegiate career with 86 points (34g/52a) in 106 career NCAA games before appearing in 11 games with the San Diego Gulls at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
As one of a few rookies without NHL experience on the Ducks roster, Sherwood is on the cusp of achieving his lifelong dream - to one day play in the National Hockey League.
At 23, Sherwood conducts himself with poise and professionalism. He greets you with a firm handshake and a smile. Eye contact, too, is a strong suit. It's all part of the makeup of the young winger, who is using every bit of preseason to prove he's ready for NHL duty. So much so that Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle offered praise for him before a recent preseason game against the LA Kings.
"He's been a sleeper," Carlyle says. "Young kid that got his feet wet in the American Hockey League last year. Played well there. He's been able to transfer that into the beginning of this year in rookie camp and main camp. He's not flashy at this level right now, but I think there is more scoring ability that hasn't come out yet. Once he gets comfortable, the puck will start following him around. He's going to get to play with some better players."

Sherwood took Carlyle's words to heart, but he knows the work is far from over. "It's humbling," he says. "I try to earn it every day. It's great he said that, but it doesn't mean anything if you don't back it up today, tomorrow and so forth. Biggest thing is to stay in the present and play the way I can. Everything else will take care of itself."
An unfortunate knee injury to Corey Perry could also open the door for Sherwood, who, like the former Hart Memorial Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, plays right wing. Sherwood admits the aura of an NHL debut has been on his mind for quite some time.
"I think about it every day," he says. "I thought about it every day in the summer. It's a goal I set for myself. It's a challenge I'm very serious about pursuing. That was my goal and my mentality coming into camp. It fueled me in the summer. To make the opening night roster is a goal, but hopefully if or when that happens, it'll be a great honor. It'll be pretty emotional. It's something I've been working towards all my life."
Mature beyond his years, Sherwood has forged close friendships with his peers - guys like Troy Terry, Sam Steel and Josh Mahura, to name a few. Part of that is the proximity, as all of them stayed in the same hotel not far from Honda Center throughout rookie camp, training camp and preseason. But regardless of age, Sherwood says the veterans have gone above and beyond to make the next generation feel comfortable.
"The older guys have been great, welcoming us younger guys," Sherwood says. "There are a lot of guys I've had conversations with, guys like Rico [Henrique], Getzy, Mans [Josh Manson]. I've talked to everyone here. They've been great. You learn from a lot from the big guys here and why they've made their careers so successful."

Though the amenities of Southern California living can turn even the most hardened of naysayers into believers, Sherwood says his decision to sign with Anaheim last spring was purely based on hockey. "The biggest decision for me was whether I wanted to sign and start a new chapter," he says. "I knew I was ready. I wanted to start this new opportunity to push me and help me grow as a player and as a person. I'm grateful for my three years in college, but it was time to write a new chapter and embark on a new journey that was really going to push me to grow."
That is not to say he isn't soaking up every minute of the warm California sun. "Every day there is something new to do here," he says with a smile. "California is California for a reason. But at the end of the day, the only thing I can truly say was the hockey side of things. All that other stuff is just a bonus for me. I wanted an opportunity. I wanted to pursue my dream and make it come true."
Though he grew up in Columbus, Sherwood says he idolized Hall of Famer Paul Kariya because he was his mother Yuko's favorite player back in the day. Like Kariya, Sherwood is half-Japanese. (Yuko came to the States from Japan when she was 19). "I remember so many different parts of his career," Sherwood says. "At first, he was my mom's favorite player because he was Japanese. Then I started watching him play. He was a guy that really excelled because he was smart. He saw the ice better, but he was also the best skater out there. I try to model my game after his. I really try to hone my skating, my IQ and my shot after him."
Away from the rink, Sherwood enjoys cooking - partly out of necessity. He is severely allergic to dairy and nuts, as well as certain types of seafood. At one point, he was also allergic to eggs "and some other things," but grew out of that. Fortunately, he doesn't have any airborne reactions, so flying on an airplane, for example, doesn't pose a risk.
"In the beginning, I used to be jealous of everyone else because they could have things I couldn't have," he says. "Now that I'm older and more mature, I look at it more as a healthy allergy. It really forced me to be cognizant of what I'm putting in my body. I have to mold my diet around healthier alternatives."
Sherwood works closely with Ducks Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Fitzgerald and Team Nutritionist Kim Storm to make sure he is fueling his body with a tailored diet that works around his allergies. "Kim has been great," Sherwood says. "She's been helping me through every meal. I just ask her or ask the chef what's in the food, so I know what to avoid."
Times like these can be overwhelming, but Sherwood isn't fazed. He's living in the moment and enjoying the experience.
"It's been good and positive," he says, reflecting on his time here. "I've learned a lot of things. It's been challenging at times, but it's been a great opportunity for me to try and do something here."