Sharks Sign Brad Norton and Brennan Evans

[Thrillhouse]

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed defenseman/left wing Brennan Evans and defenseman/left wing Brad Norton to one-year contracts.

Evans, 25, appeared in 75 games registering 16 points (two goals,14 assists) and 170 penalty minutes with the Worcester Sharks, the top development AHL affiliate of the San Jose Sharks.

Entering his fifth season as a professional, Evans has logged 260 career AHL regular season games, totaling six goals, 36 assists and 512 penalty minutes for Lowell, Binghamton and Worcester. He also played two games for the Calgary Flames in the 2003-04 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The six-foot-four, 210-pound native of Camrose, Alberta was originally signed as a free agent by the Calgary Flames in 2003.

Norton, 32, appeared in 5 games registering one assist and 20 penalty minutes with the Detroit Red Wings during the 2006-07 regular season. He spent the majority of the season playing for Grand Rapids (AHL) where in 43 games he posted five points (one goal, four assists) and had 120 penalty minutes.

Entering his 11th season as a professional, Norton has logged 124 career NHL regular season games, totaling three goals, eight assists and 287 penalty minutes for the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings. In addition to his NHL totals, Norton has posted 10 goals and 53 assists and 618 penalty minutes in 263 career American Hockey League games with Hamilton, Hershey, Binghamton and Grand Rapids.

The six-foot-six, 235-pound native of Cambridge, Mass. was originally selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the ninth round (215th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He is the younger brother of former Sharks defenseman Jeff Norton.

[Podollan]

I am not sure if its a smart signing, I mean I like Norton a lot, but I would sign a real heavyweight. I mean what has Norton what Davison doesn't have? They are pretty equal, and there is no room for all Davison,Norton and Murray.

Evans did well in the AHL last year, he was very active.
Good signing.

[steg1989]

Nice, should be an exciting team to watch in Worcester this season. Norton, Evans, Staubitz and Olsen should be exciting to watch.

[Podollan]

Thats right, poor griffins.

[Jensen]

Well, at least we signed some people that are tough.

[caps05]

Will Norton get the chance to be the enforcer in San Jose this year? Or will it be enforcer-by-committee?

[Snipes19]

It's nice that the Sharks signed a tough guy, but Norton will be in Worcester the whole year because there just isn't enough room for him on the Sharks roster with Davison and Murray on the team. Murray will be the #6 defenseman and Davison the #7. Oh well, at least their AHL team should be fairly tough.

[HordiBrusk29]

If Norton were to make the team he wouldn't make the team as a defenseman anyway, IMO. He'd be a 4th line winger. Either way I'm not expecting him to make the squad but it would be nice...

[Isles4life]

It definitely makes Worcester a more fearsome team on the ice, but Norton is real far down the San Jose depth chart.

[Captain Crunch28]

Atleast the Sharks can now possibly have a heavyweight in their organization to call up if they need to.. But honestly, I like Staubitz better.

[jkidd]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

If Norton were to make the team he wouldn't make the team as a defenseman anyway, IMO. He'd be a 4th line winger. Either way I'm not expecting him to make the squad but it would be nice...

There is no way Norton makes the team as a dman... He's something like a 9th defenseman as it stands now. When Rob Davison of all guys has to claw and gouge for playing time - you have a deep defensive corps.

I like the pick up - but I dont see Norts getting any time with San Jose, at forward or on the blue line. They are too deep already, which is why Parker had almost no chance for the past couple of years.

[Colt Seavers]

Norton played as a forward during his brief stint as a Wing-not that this increases his chances of making the roster!

[lefthook1]

good for norton! Hopefully he gets a chance to play and rub it in hollands putrid face.

Die holland

[Ryane Clowe=Sav]

i dont know why everyone thinks the sharks dont have a heavy weight... clowe is one big mutha ****a and i dont even know who norton is haha... davison will make it as the 6th d-man... murry will be healthy scratch...

but i can see them going out and getting "a big name Heavy weight" if needed...

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by Ryane Clowe=Sav

i dont know why everyone thinks the sharks dont have a heavy weight... clowe is one big mutha ****a and i dont even know who norton is haha... davison will make it as the 6th d-man... murry will be healthy scratch...

but i can see them going out and getting "a big name Heavy weight" if needed...

Yeah Clowe is huge, but his job isn't to go out there and keep Parros, Boogaard and Godard in line. You want Boogaard trying to break Clowe's face, or a regular fighter's?

Clowe should not be out there enforcing. Hence the need for an actual enforcer.