Melnichuk signs two-year, entry-level contract with Sharks

Alexei Melnichuk signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

The 21-year-old goalie was 8-5-1 with a 1.68 goals-against average, a .930 save percentage and four shutouts in 16 games with SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League this season. Melnichuk also played for SKA-Neva St. Petersburg in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) and was 7-1-0 with a 1.95 GAA and .925 save percentage in eight regular-season games, and 5-4 with a 2.16 GAA, a .937 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 playoff games.

"Alexei was being pursued by a number of teams, and we're pleased that he decided to join the Sharks," San Jose general manager Doug Wilson said. "He has a unique blend of athleticism and technical play and has impressed at each level he has advanced. This past season he has proven that he can more than hold his own amongst players much older than he, and we are excited for him to work with (goaltending development coach) Evgeni Nabokov and our development staff."

In 18 KHL games, Melnichuk was 9-5-1 with a 1.75 GAA, a .927 save percentage and four shutouts. He was 58-11-3 with a 1.72 GAA, a .929 save percentage and 13 shutouts in 74 VHL games, and during the 2018-19 playoffs led the league's goalies in GAA (1.10) and save percentage (.963).

Melnichuk played for Russia at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.

San Jose also signed free agent center Fredrik Handemark to an entry-level contract on Monday.

The 26-year-old played five seasons with Malmo of the Swedish Hockey League, including the past three as captain. Handemark scored 38 points (14 goals, 24 assists) in 52 games this season and led the SHL in face-off winning percentage (61.5 percent) and total face-offs (1,029).

"Fredrik is a well-rounded player who can play in all situations and ranks as one of the top face-off centers in Europe dating back to his time in juniors," Wilson said. "He is a powerful skater with high character and leadership qualities having been the captain for the Malmo Redhawks the past three seasons, and he has played well the last few years at the national level. We are happy to have him join our organization."