San Jose Sharks sign Jason Demers
The San Jose Sharks have announced that they have signed defenseman Jason Demers to a two-year contract extension worth $2.2 million. The signing sees the youngster remain with the club for the next three seasons.
Jason Demers
Demers began his professional career playing for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJH) where he spent two years playing for the club. However, in his two seasons in Moncton, Demers was not able to get his game going and was traded to the Victoriaville Tigers.
In Victoriaville, Demers began to flourish, and by his final season he emerged as one of the leagues premier offensive defenseman. Demers led all QMJHL defenseman in scoring that season with 9 goals and 55 assists for 64 points in 67 games.
His strong final season in junior helped him get drafted 186th overall by the Sharks in the 7th round of the 2008 National Hockey League entry draft.
The Sharks elected to send Demers to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Worchester Sharks, where he amassed 33 points in 78 games.
His strong play in the AHL earned him 51 games last season with San Jose, scoring 4 goals and 17 assists for 21 points.
San Jose’s Perspective
The Demers signing cements him in the line-up for next season, as well as the following two. As the youngest member of the defence-core in San Jose, it is unlikely that Demers will be see a great deal of ice time next year, but he will play in his first full NHL season.
Demers should start the season on the Sharks third line with Ken Huskins. His offensive prowess makes him a legitimate second line defenseman in the future, however, for now the Sharks are simply too skilled up front for Demers to log major minutes.
General Manager (GM) Doug Wilson knew how important it was to lock up the 22 year-old Quebec native past the end of the season. The work San Jose has had to endure this offseason in regards to restricted free agents has been very time consuming, and getting Demers out of the way lessens the responsibilities of Wilson, come the 2011 offseason.
Wilson was happy with the signing saying, “Jason’s puck moving capabilities and competitive nature fit well with where out team is trending. He is very capable of executing the up-tempo style of game we want to play and we see him as an important part of out team.”
The singing correlates with the Sharks push to get Joe Thornton locked up into a long-term contract, as well as the on-going negotiations with youngster Devin Setoguchi. Wilson is a very skilled GM and after the Thornton and Setoguchi signings, the team is only in need of a goaltender before puck drop in October.
Demers’ Perspective
For Demers, this is an outstanding contract extension. The youngster is making just $543,333 and will be making $1.25 million over the next two years. Drafted in the 7th round in 2008, this is a huge step for him.
Demers should not expect big minutes next year, but he can expect to be inserted into the line-up full-time. In addition, the signing shows that the Sharks are interested in the youngster and like his play, which is good news for him down the line.
Until Demers begins to take a larger role with the club, he has time to learn from the plethora of skilled defenseman he is surrounded by in San Jose, specifically Dan Boyle. Demers has the opportunity to play alongside one of the best all around defenseman in the league, and should learn as much as he can from the skilled veteran.
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