swflyers25
8-03-05, 9:27 AM
FLYERS GIVE LONGTIME S.J. DEFENSEMAN 5-YEAR DEAL
By David Pollak
Mercury News
Defenseman Mike Rathje severed his 13-year connection to the Sharks on Tuesday, signing a five-year contract with Philadelphia -- a lengthier deal than the one San Jose General Manager Doug Wilson was offering.
Rathje will earn $3.5 million each year of the contract -- 73 percent more than he made his final season in San Jose.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Rathje holds the franchise record for games played (671) as well as goals (27), assists (128) and points (155) by a defenseman. At 31, he was the Sharks' only unrestricted free agent at a time when NHL players will be switching teams in record numbers because of the new collective bargaining agreement.
Wilson, however, said he wouldn't be focusing on the open market to fill the spot created by Rathje's departure.
``Our approach never changes,'' the G.M. said. ``We always look internally first, and I've got several guys excited about competing for that opportunity. At the same time, you always look and you always listen.''
Scott Hannan, Brad Stuart and Kyle McLaren are locks on the blue line. Tom Preissing, Christian Ehrhoff, Rob Davison, Jim Fahey, Doug Murray and Josh Gorges are among those who will vie in training camp for the remaining four or five jobs, Wilson said.
Rathje declined to talk about his decision, but his agent, Art Breeze of Calgary, Alberta, said it was ``a bittersweet situation for Mike.''
``He very much enjoyed his tenure with the Sharks. He loved the fans and the city and his teammates,'' Breeze said. ``He's very grateful for the opportunity the Sharks have given him and he's equally excited about the future.''
Likewise, Wilson said the parting was amicable.
``I'm pleased for Mike. He's done a great job for us. To get an offer of that length at this point in his career, you've got to take it. I wasn't willing to go to that term,'' Wilson said.
Some teams might have questioned how well Rathje, one of the NHL's top positional defensemen, would do under the new rules that put more of an emphasis on speed. But the Flyers saw him as someone who could fill a need.
``What we wanted was size and guys who are difficult to play against on the back end,'' said former Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi, now a pro scout with Philadelphia.
Rathje wasn't the Flyers' only target. They added two other over-sized defensemen Tuesday -- Derian Hatcher (four years, $14 million) and Chris Therien (one year, $500,000).
Lombardi downplayed any particular role he had in the Flyers' decision to sign Rathje.
``Sure, I was there and knew him for 10 years, but it's not like Rat's a secret,'' Lombardi said, noting that Flyers Coach Ken Hitchcock used to coach Dallas and knew Rathje's contributions well.
The third player taken in the 1992 draft, Rathje put down roots in San Jose. His wife, Shayna, is from the area. He's a part-owner of Tres Gringos, a downtown bar and restaurant.
But his time here has not always been smooth. Rathje reached the NHL at 19 and struggled early on. Because of his size, fans expected him to hammer opponents on every shift. That wasn't his style, and home crowds got on his back.
However, his two coaches in San Jose the past eight seasons -- Ron Wilson and Darryl Sutter -- often praised Rathje as the immovable object opponents didn't want to face.
Even when he was having success, Rathje was aware he had critics in the stands.
``I don't like to say it like this, but they can boo me or cheer me or whatever,'' Rathje said in an interview during the 2002 playoffs against Colorado, when he topped the team in hits. ``I'm going to go out there and try to make the best plays. And probably 90 percent of the time I will. That's why I'm still on this team. Otherwise, I would have been gone a long time ago.''
San Jose Mercury News (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/hockey/nhl/san_jose_sharks/12290615.htm)
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By David Pollak
Mercury News
Defenseman Mike Rathje severed his 13-year connection to the Sharks on Tuesday, signing a five-year contract with Philadelphia -- a lengthier deal than the one San Jose General Manager Doug Wilson was offering.
Rathje will earn $3.5 million each year of the contract -- 73 percent more than he made his final season in San Jose.
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Rathje holds the franchise record for games played (671) as well as goals (27), assists (128) and points (155) by a defenseman. At 31, he was the Sharks' only unrestricted free agent at a time when NHL players will be switching teams in record numbers because of the new collective bargaining agreement.
Wilson, however, said he wouldn't be focusing on the open market to fill the spot created by Rathje's departure.
``Our approach never changes,'' the G.M. said. ``We always look internally first, and I've got several guys excited about competing for that opportunity. At the same time, you always look and you always listen.''
Scott Hannan, Brad Stuart and Kyle McLaren are locks on the blue line. Tom Preissing, Christian Ehrhoff, Rob Davison, Jim Fahey, Doug Murray and Josh Gorges are among those who will vie in training camp for the remaining four or five jobs, Wilson said.
Rathje declined to talk about his decision, but his agent, Art Breeze of Calgary, Alberta, said it was ``a bittersweet situation for Mike.''
``He very much enjoyed his tenure with the Sharks. He loved the fans and the city and his teammates,'' Breeze said. ``He's very grateful for the opportunity the Sharks have given him and he's equally excited about the future.''
Likewise, Wilson said the parting was amicable.
``I'm pleased for Mike. He's done a great job for us. To get an offer of that length at this point in his career, you've got to take it. I wasn't willing to go to that term,'' Wilson said.
Some teams might have questioned how well Rathje, one of the NHL's top positional defensemen, would do under the new rules that put more of an emphasis on speed. But the Flyers saw him as someone who could fill a need.
``What we wanted was size and guys who are difficult to play against on the back end,'' said former Sharks general manager Dean Lombardi, now a pro scout with Philadelphia.
Rathje wasn't the Flyers' only target. They added two other over-sized defensemen Tuesday -- Derian Hatcher (four years, $14 million) and Chris Therien (one year, $500,000).
Lombardi downplayed any particular role he had in the Flyers' decision to sign Rathje.
``Sure, I was there and knew him for 10 years, but it's not like Rat's a secret,'' Lombardi said, noting that Flyers Coach Ken Hitchcock used to coach Dallas and knew Rathje's contributions well.
The third player taken in the 1992 draft, Rathje put down roots in San Jose. His wife, Shayna, is from the area. He's a part-owner of Tres Gringos, a downtown bar and restaurant.
But his time here has not always been smooth. Rathje reached the NHL at 19 and struggled early on. Because of his size, fans expected him to hammer opponents on every shift. That wasn't his style, and home crowds got on his back.
However, his two coaches in San Jose the past eight seasons -- Ron Wilson and Darryl Sutter -- often praised Rathje as the immovable object opponents didn't want to face.
Even when he was having success, Rathje was aware he had critics in the stands.
``I don't like to say it like this, but they can boo me or cheer me or whatever,'' Rathje said in an interview during the 2002 playoffs against Colorado, when he topped the team in hits. ``I'm going to go out there and try to make the best plays. And probably 90 percent of the time I will. That's why I'm still on this team. Otherwise, I would have been gone a long time ago.''
San Jose Mercury News (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/hockey/nhl/san_jose_sharks/12290615.htm)
To get access to this website use the followinng login from bugmenot:
noway1@nohow.com
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