SAN JOSE — Robert Bortuzzo’s second period goal for the St. Louis Blues in Game 2 of the Western Conference Final against the Sharks was the first of his career in an NHL playoff game. His last postseason goal at any level came during the 2007 Ontario Hockey League playoffs with the Kitchener Rangers.
His coach at the time? The Sharks’ Pete DeBoer.
Bortuzzo played two seasons under DeBoer and assistant coach Steve Spott from 2006-2008 before DeBoer got his first NHL job with the Florida Panthers. Bortuzzo played one more year under Spott, who was promoted to be Kitchener’s head coach for the 2008-09 season, before he began his pro career the following year.