Defenseman Matt Tennyson returns to San Jose for NHL, trained as youth in Sharks system-NHL News
The San Jose Sharks confirmed to have consolidated their defensive strength by adding a player from their junior system to the main squad on an entry-level contract.
Western Michigan’s defenseman, Matt Tennyson, has been signed by the management on the basic deal terms of which including value and tenure are not made available by either of the parties.
Courtesy of the signing, which came on Thursday, March 29, 2012, Tennyson has become the only San Jose player who as a youth has developed in the Sharks junior system.
The player was available as an unrestricted free agent in the free agency market before agreeing to the deal from Sharks.
Tennyson, who is a native of nearby Pleasanton, has played with Sharks’ junior side as a youth and developed through the initial phase of his career at the team.
It is very rare for an NHL team to take a player on board, who has played with them in the junior league. The player is said to be happy over the prospects of playing the professional hockey for the team.
Sharks are tied with the Los Angeles Kings for eighth position on the NHL points table and very much on the opportunity to make it to the playoffs this season.
The management, while confirming landing of the deal to Tennyson, has not said anything about his earliest possible joining of the squad.
Some of the game commentators are weighing the 21-year player, who has just finished the junior league, as a great prospect for Sharks. The team stands an opportunity to benefit from his talent and skills in the longer run.
Also, since he is in early stage of his professional career, his energy and game spirit can add to the team’s confidence at the defensive position.
Most importantly, he is coming out of the college league being a leading defenseman. So, by all standards, his signing comes as a welcome move by the team, the commentators said.
Last year, Tennyson reportedly played 41 games in the college league, and finished at the top with the record of 11 goals, 13 assists and 24 points. He was rated to be the leading defenseman in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.
So, he is going to be a notable player in the San Jose Sharks and the team is hoping for him to become a valuable asset for them in the future.
With few more games to go before the playoffs, Sharks are likely to remain on the course for the playoffs. They aim to make effective use of Tennyson and other players in the second round of the league.
In case of Sharks’ inability to reach the playoffs, the player could possibly be made to wait for the next season before playing a game for the team.
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