SAN JOSE, California -- 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 San Francisco Bulls of the ECHL for the 2012-13 season. The Worcester Sharks continue to serve as San Jose’s American Hockey League affiliate.

“We are very excited to add the San Francisco Bulls as our ECHL development affiliate,” said Thomas. “Our organizations share the same passion to put a strong, competitive product on the ice, as well as being an active member in our shared Bay Area communities. Having our prospects develop in close proximity to our club in San Jose while playing for a first-class organization will serve them well moving forward in their professional careers.”

The 2012-13 season will be the inaugural campaign for the Bulls, who will play their home games at the historic Cow Palace, where the Sharks played their first two NHL seasons prior to moving into HP Pavilion at San Jose (then San Jose Arena) in 1993.