SHARKS SIGN VETERAN DEFENSEMAN

WORCESTER - Worcester Sharks General Manager Wayne Thomas announced today that the club has re-signed veteran defenseman Patrick Traverse to a two-year American Hockey League contract. Per club policy, financial terms of the deal will not be disclosed.

“We are very excited to have Patrick Traverse sign with us,” said Thomas. “He adds stability and leadership to the Worcester Sharks lineup and adds significant depth to the San Jose Sharks organization.”

Traverse, an 11-year AHL veteran, completed the 2006-07 season with Worcester after being acquired on December 15, 2006 from the Montreal Canadiens organization in exchange for defenseman Mathieu Biron. The 6’4”, 207-pound defenseman finished the 2006-07 regular season having played in all 80 games and six playoff games. Traverse finished with 27 points (6+21=27) between the two teams.

“The hardest part about being a professional athlete is the travel and being away from family,” said Traverse. “The Sharks Organization has been fantastic to me and my family and it was a priority to sign here. It’s a great opportunity to stay home and play and my two young boys will be able to go to school here and stay near their friends. “I’m very excited,” he said.

The Montreal native and current Grafton, MA resident has appeared in 279 NHL games and recorded 65 points (14+51=65) and 113 penalty minutes. Traverse has also played six NHL playoff games, but has not registered a point.

“Patrick Traverse is a player we wanted to have back in the mix without question,” said Michael T. Lehr, President and CEO of the Worcester Sharks. “Patrick and his family are year round residents of Grafton and we are excited that he will be able to live at home and become an active member of the Worcester community while providing a strong, veteran presence on the blueline for the Worcester Sharks.

“This is a great day to be a Worcester Sharks fan.”

Traverse has also skated in 501 AHL games and registered 181 points (53+128=181). In 47 playoff games, the steady defenseman recorded 17 points in 47 games (4+13=17).

*Courtesy of the Worcester Sharks