SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President General Manager Doug Wilson and Vice President and Assistant General Manager Wayne Thomas announced today that the Sharks have signed an affiliation agreement with the Stockton Thunder of the ECHL for the 2010-11 season. The Worcester Sharks continue to serve as San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate.

“We are very excited to add the Stockton Thunder as our ECHL development affiliate,” said Wilson. “The Thunder have done a great job bringing winning hockey to their market and we think the proximity of our teams will provide mutual benefits for both franchises on and off the ice.”

Stockton will also continue to serve as an affiliate for the Edmonton Oilers.

"The San Jose Sharks have been one of the premier NHL organizations over the last several years and we're very excited to begin working with them this upcoming season," said Stockton Thunder President Dan Chapman. "For geographic reasons this affiliation makes a great deal of sense and we also look forward to their participation in making the Thunder an even better team in 2010-11."