Sharks Re-Sign Left Wings Thomas Plihal and Craig Valette

[Thrillhouse]

SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has re-signed Group II restricted free agents left wing Thomas Plihal and left wing Craig Valette to one-year contracts.

In 2006-07, Plihal, 24, registered 15 points (6-9=15) and 28 penalty minutes with the Worcester Sharks, the top development AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. Additionally, he made his NHL debut with the Sharks on Jan. 26 at Edmonton. In three games with San Jose, Plihal posted 10 shots on goal.

In 2005-06, Plihal set a career high with 30 points (11-19=30) in 74 games with Cleveland (AHL), including eight points (7-1=8) in his last seven games.

In 234 career AHL games with Worcester and Cleveland, the Frydlant, Czech Republic native has scored 89 points (38-51=89) and 123 penalty minutes.

The six-foot-one, 190-pound left wing was selected by San Jose in the fifth round (140th overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

In 2006-07, Valette, 24, was named one of three alternate captains for the Worcester Sharks. In 55 games, Valette registered career highs for goals (15), assists (11) and points (26) and scored the first short handed goal in Worcester history.

In 2005-06, Valette registered 11 points (5-6=11) and 95 penalty minutes in 69 games for the Cleveland Barons (AHL).

In 259 career AHL games, Valette has posted 32 goals, 33 assists, 65 points and 343 penalty minutes.

The six-foot, 200-pound center from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was originally signed by San Jose as a free agent on April 4, 2003.

[Jensen]

Hopefully they're Worcester signings, they better not be on the Sharks...

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by Jensen

Hopefully they're Worcester signings, they better not be on the Sharks...

You don't even have to worry about that...
Plihal and Valette are both career minor-leaguers, so that's where they will be (in Worcester). Plus not only that, but there isn't even enough room for another forward or two on the Sharks roster!

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

You don't even have to worry about that...
Plihal and Valette are both career minor-leaguers, so that's where they will be (in Worcester). Plus not only that, but there isn't even enough room for another forward or two on the Sharks roster!

We only have 11 forwards under contract that played regularly in the NHL last season, so I don't know how you got that we don't need anymore forwards. We have Thornton, Cheechoo, Marleau, Michalek, Bernier, Clowe, Goc, Brown, Grier, Rissmiller, and Pavelski. That leaves 1 spot open plus 2 or so bench players. Pavelski might even start the year in the AHL to get him more experience.

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by Jensen

We only have 11 forwards under contract that played regularly in the NHL last season, so I don't know how you got that we don't need anymore forwards. We have Thornton, Cheechoo, Marleau, Michalek, Bernier, Clowe, Goc, Brown, Grier, Rissmiller, and Pavelski. That leaves 1 spot open plus 2 or so bench players. Pavelski might even start the year in the AHL to get him more experience.

You don't make any sense. First of all, you have 12 forwards. Setoguchi will be a starter along with the other 11 that you named. And second of all, why would Pavelski start the season in the AHL? You were worried about only having 11 forwards, so without Pavelski you would have only had 10 (according to YOU. But really the Sharks have 12). So there's NO logic in sending him to Worcester. Pavelski will likely center the 2nd line for the Sharks.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

You don't make any sense. First of all, you have 12 forwards. Setoguchi will be a starter along with the other 11 that you named. And second of all, why would Pavelski start the season in the AHL? You were worried about only having 11 forwards, so without Pavelski you would have only had 10 (according to YOU. But really the Sharks have 12). So there's NO logic in sending him to Worcester. Pavelski will likely center the 2nd line for the Sharks.

What do you mean I don't make any sense? You're the one who said we don't need anymore forwards, and Seto is not a lock to make the team. I just didn't come up with Pavelski going back down to the AHL out of my head, it's been rumored around a couple times. That still leaves 2 or so bench players we need.

[Snipes19]

Originally Posted by Jensen

What do you mean I don't make any sense? You're the one who said we don't need anymore forwards, and Seto is not a lock to make the team. I just didn't come up with Pavelski going back down to the AHL out of my head, it's been rumored around a couple times. That still leaves 2 or so bench players we need.

Setoguchi IS a lock to make the team, because other than him, who else do you have that deserves a spot at forward? Nobody. And it makes no sense to send down Pavelski, because then you would only have 11 forwards. Why would they do that? That is what makes no sense. You don't need two bench players, you would only need one at forward. And it will either be a guy from the AHL, or they could still sign another free agent.

[Jensen]

Originally Posted by Wes McSnipes

Setoguchi IS a lock to make the team, because other than him, who else do you have that deserves a spot at forward? Nobody. And it makes no sense to send down Pavelski, because then you would only have 11 forwards. Why would they do that? That is what makes no sense. You don't need two bench players, you would only need one at forward. And it will either be a guy from the AHL, or they could still sign another free agent.

Mike Iggulden, Torrey Mitchell, and even Plihal have a shot to make the team. I'm not the one that came up with that rumor, and I'm not going to sit here and argue with you.

[Baronking]

I wouldn't say Plihal is a career minor leaguer. He has already played 3 games for San Jose, so technically that wouldn't be true. He has potential and he is only 24. Just has to catch a break.