Sharks Resign Valette & Plihal

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 keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed.

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.

* Courtesy of the San Jose Sharks