Sharks sign Traverse and Darche

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 deals 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, Quebecwas selected in the third round (50th overall) in 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators.

Darche spent the 2005-06 season with Duisburgof 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 Columbusand 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, Quebecwas originally signed as a free agent by the Columbus Blue Jackets on May 16, 2000.