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San Jose Sharks Sign Two Forwards To Entry-Level Contracts

By Patrick Leiva

Nov 25, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; The San Jose Sharks enter the ice through the shark
Nov 25, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; The San Jose Sharks enter the ice through the shark /
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San Jose signed a pair of forwards this week, including a former fourth-round pick from the 2015 NHL Draft.

With the trade deadline coming and going at the beginning of the week, San Jose Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson was busy adding a couple of forwards to the Sharks organization. Earlier this week, San Jose signed forwards Adam Helewka and Jon Martin to entry-level contracts.

The 20-year-old Helewka, who signed a three-year deal according to General Fanager, has amassed 34 goals in only 45 games for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He brings an offensive upside as he leads the Rebels in goals, points per game (1.36), plus-minus (plus-33) and is second with 61 points.

Originally a fourth-round selection by San Jose in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Helewka has posted 225 career points (111 goals, 114 assists) in 236 games in the WHL. He will likely see some time with the San Jose Barracuda where he has registered one assist in three games with San Jose.

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Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Martin brings a bit more of a physical presence to the ice than Helewka as he’s recorded 68 penalty minutes in 60 games this season for the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL. Here’s what Wilson had to say about Martin deciding to join the Sharks organization.

"“Jon is a well-rounded player who brings a high skill set but also a tough, physical game. His game has really blossomed this season under Broncos General Manager and Head Coach Mark Lamb. As a result, he had a lot of suitors and we are thrilled that he has decided to join the Sharks organization.”"

Martin, who serves as captain for Swift Current, leads the team with 66 points (36 goals, 30 assists) this year, and has already established new career-highs in goals, assists and points. Martin has a bit more experience in the WHL than Helewka as he’s appeared in 306 career games and amassed 68 goals and 66 assists (134 points) during that span.

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Both forwards will bring some size to the equation as each player is listed at 6-foot-2, with Martin weighing in at 220 pounds and Helewka at 200 even. With college hockey and different leagues around North America wrapping up in the coming months, it will be interesting to see who the organization targets for entry-level deals.

Wilson has had some recent success finding and signing players as Joonas Donskoi was a player who inked an entry-level deal this past May, and I’d say that’s worked out quite well for team teal.

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