Worcester Sharks general manager Wayne Thomas announced Monday that the club has re-signed veteran defenseman Patrick Traverse to a two-year American Hockey League contract.
“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 Dec. 15, 2006, from the Montreal Canadiens organization in exchange for defenseman Mathieu Biron. The 6-foot-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 (6g, 21a) 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.
The Montreal native and current Grafton, Mass., resident has skated in 501 career AHL games and registered 181 points (53 goals, 128 assists). In 47 playoff games, the steady defenseman recorded 17 points in 47 games (4g, 13a). He has also appeared in 279 NHL games and recorded 65 points (14g, 51a) and 113 penalty minutes. Traverse has also played six NHL playoff games.
