Sharks Sign Patrick Traverse and Matthieu Darche

[VodkaFish]

SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today the signing of free agent defenseman Patrick Traverse and free agent forward Matthieu Darche to a standard player contract. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Traverse spent the majority of the 2005-06 season with the Iowa Stars of the American Hockey League where he totaled 24 points (3-21=24) in 40 games. He also appeared in one game with the Dallas Stars without recording a point or penalty minute.

A 13-year professional, Traverse has recorded 65 points (14-51=65) points and 113 penalty minutes in 279 career NHL regular season games with Ottawa, Anaheim, Boston, Montreal and Dallas. The veteran blueliner has also notched 144 points (37-107=144) in 421 games at the AHL level.

The six-foot-four, 210-pound native of Montreal, Quebec was selected in the third round (50th overall) in 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators.

Darche spent the 2005-06 season with Duisburg of the German Elite League totaling 25 points (12-13=25) in 52 regular season games. His 12 goals were tied for the second most overall on the team and his 88 PIM’s were the second most among forwards.

Entering his seventh professional season, Darche has posted two points and six PIM’s in 26 career regular season NHL contests with Columbus and Nashville. He has appeared in 360 American Hockey League games where he has accumulated 262 points (127-135=262). He led the 2003-04 Calder Cup Champion Milwaukee Admirals with 59 points (28-31=59) in 76 regular season games.

The six-foot-one, 210-pound native of Montreal, Quebec was originally signed as a free agent by the Columbus Blue Jackets on May 16, 2000.

[Podollan]

Too funny, Darche was nothing more than a solid worker here in Germany... at a poor club and now he gets an NHL contract.
But I hope for him that he will score his points in the ahl.

[bengino]

Patrick Traverse used to be pretty average for a 6th defenseman... he's only an injury replacement and a borderline NHL'er

[Mike Kole]

Originally Posted by bengino

Patrick Traverse used to be pretty average for a 6th defenseman... he's only an injury replacement and a borderline NHL'er

Not exactly the A-List defenseman the Sharks desperately need. Come on, Wilson!

[KindofBlueline]

Please Please Please Please let this mean that they won't want to sign Joe Pavelski for another year...

[Mike Kole]

Originally Posted by KindofBlueline

Please Please Please Please let this mean that they won't want to sign Joe Pavelski for another year...

I take it you are a Wisconsin fan?

[KindofBlueline]

Originally Posted by Mike Kole

I take it you are a Wisconsin fan?

Yep... proud Crease Creature and entering my senior year.