Earlier today, the San Jose Sharks announced the re-signing of Czech netminder Josef Korenar to a one-year contract. Terms of the contract have not been officially disclosed, but Curtis Pashelka of The Mercury News reports that the contract carries a cap hit of $750,000, with a minors salary of $85,000 and minimum guaranteed salary of $125,000.
The Czech native came to the organization as an undrafted free agent, signing an entry-level contract in the 2017 off-season.
Korenar began the 2021 season on the Sharks’ taxi squad, making his season debut with the American Hockey League’s San Jose Barracuda on February 27, 2021 against the Ontario Reign. Korenar and fellow goaltender Alexei Melnichuk routinely traded places between the taxi squad and the Barracuda, until Korenar was called up to replace Devan Dubnyk, following his trade to the Colorado Avalanche at the 2021 deadline.
The 23-year-old subsequently made his first NHL appearance on April 10 against the Los Angeles Kings, before making his first NHL start four days later against the Anaheim Ducks. After the Sharks’ season concluded, Korenar returned to the Barracuda and started all four games that the Barracuda played in the Pacific Division postseason tournament.
In 10 games with the Sharks, Korenar posted a 3-5-0 record with a 3.17 goals against average (GAA) and an .899 save percentage (SV%), as well as a 5-1-2 record, 3.22 GAA and .898 SV% with the Barracuda.
“Josef took a big step in his development last season, showing his athleticism and awareness in net while appearing in the NHL for the first time,” said general manager Doug Wilson in a release. “He also delivered a strong performance in the AHL’s Pacific Division playoffs, leading AHL goaltenders in goals-against average and helped the Barracuda to the semifinals.”
Korenar will be a restricted free agent next summer.
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