With one stroke of a pen, Sean Acolatse has been granted the opportunity to become the first homegrown San Jose Shark.
The Sharks signed the 20-year-old Prince George Cougars defenceman to his first NHL contract and when he arrives there to skate with the pros it will be his homecoming. The five-foot-11, 207-pound Acolatse was born in Hayward, Calif., a suburb of San Jose, and spent the first eight years of his life there.
"This is a great moment for me to sign with the Sharks and join a tremendous organization that is building a winning tradition," said Acolatse, who has collected 12 points in the last 10 games. "Coming to Prince George has been an excellent move for me and I want to thank the Cougars for giving me the opportunity to continue growing my game in Prince George."
Acolatse joined the Cougars in early October from the Saskatoon Blades in a trade for a third-round bantam draft pick in 2011. The former Southside Athletic Club (Edmonton) midget triple-A player spent his first 3 1/2 seasons in the WHL with Seattle. Acolatse attended the Phoenix Coyotes rookie camp in September.
"We have been watching Sena for quite a while and his play has really grown this season under the guidance of head coach Dean Clark and his staff," said Sharks general manager Doug Wilson.
"It's always exciting to add a prospect of this calibre to our organization but it is even more gratifying to know that Sena's interest in learning to play hockey can be traced to the inception of the Sharks franchise, who were 'born' the same year he was."
Acolatse began playing minor hockey in Fremont, Calif., and used to attend Sharks games with his father. His immediate family moved to Edmonton in 1998, but he still aunts and uncles who live in San Jose.
In 59 games this season, not including Friday's game against Spokane, the smooth-skating Acolatse had 14 goals and 42 assists for 56 points, the fourth-highest point total among WHL defencemen. With four more points, he'll become the fourth Prince George Cougars defenceman to reach the 60-point plateau. Dan Hamhuis in 2001-02, was the most recent Cougar D-man to hit 60 points.
"Sena has been an outstanding leader for our hockey club both on and off the ice," said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson. "The Cougars are proud that his hard work has paid off and we wish all the best for Sena in the Sharks organization after he graduates from our program."
In a WHL career that spans 314 games with Seattle, Saskatoon and Prince George, he's totaled 147 points (44 goals and 103 assists) and 492 penalty minutes.
