Sharks sign Jimmy Schuldt to one-year, $775,000 deal

The San Jose Sharks announced Monday they signed defenseman Jimmy Schuldt to a one-year, two-way contract.

The 29-year-old had five goals and 19 assists for 24 points in 68 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds last season. He reached career highs in 2022-23, scoring eight goals and 24 assists for 32 points.

Schuldt has one assist in one career NHL game in April 2019.

Assistant General Manager Joe Will says Schuldt will provide some much-needed depth.

“Jimmy provides defense depth to the Sharks organization. His game is a perfect blend of offensive production and defensive play,” Will said. “In the AHL, he has shown he can play high minutes against top lines. He was a top defenseman for one of the top teams in the AHL the past two seasons.”

Before turning pro, Schuldt was a member of St. Cloud State University, helping them win a National Championship in 2015-16. Between 2016-17 and 2018-19, he was captain for the Huskies.

The 6-foot-1 native of Minnetona, Minn., has played 30 goals and 78 assists for 108 points in 290 career AHL games with the Firebirds, Chicago Wolves, Henderson Silver Knights and Rochester Americans.

The Sharks went 19-54-9 with 47 points in 2023-24, last in the Pacific Division and dead last in the entire league. They won the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft Lottery, and selected Macklin Celebrini last Friday night.

Celebrini, 18, racked up 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points in 38 NCAA games with the Boston University Terriers during the 2023-24 season. The North Vancouver, B.C., product also skated in five games with Team Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, collecting four goals and eight points.