"Jacob really took a big step forward this past season in his first year of professional hockey and we're excited with his progress with the Barracuda," said Sharks Assistant General Manager and San Jose Barracuda General Manager Joe Will. "He signed with the Barracuda prior to last season despite the fact he still had junior eligibility, and his development really took off under Barracuda Head Coach Roy Sommer and his staff. His skill set, coupled with an impressive work ethic made him an integral piece on the blueline in our AHL playoff run and we're excited to see him take his game to the next level again next season."

SAN JOSE, CA - San Jose Sharks ( @SanJoseSharks ) General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jacob Middleton to to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Middleton, 21, posted nine points (one goal, eight assists), 56 penalty minutes and a plus-11 rating in 50 games with the Barracuda last season. He finished the season ranked 3rd amongst Barracuda rookies in plus/minus, and led all team rookies in penalty minutes.

Prior to joining the Barracuda, Middleton spent four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), recording 86 points (14 goals, 72 assists), and 219 penalty minutes with Owen Sound and Ottawa. He served as Ottawa's captain in 2015-16, before joining the ECHL's Manchester Monarchs for the final two games of the season. He appeared in all five of Manchester's playoff games.

Middleton's accolades include being named to the 2012-13 OHL Second All-Rookie Team, as well as representing Canada Ontario at the 2013 U-17 World Hockey Challenge. He was ranked #91 amongst all skaters in his 2014 NHL Draft class by ISS Hockey and #74 by Future Considerations.

The six-foot-three, 210-pound native of Wainwright, Alberta was originally selected by Los Angeles in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.