San Jose Sharks General Manager Doug Wilson has announced today that the team has signed Vincent Praplan of the Swiss National League (NLA). The contract given to Praplan is of the standard, entry-level variety. “Vincent is a highly skilled playmaker who can play any forward position,” said Wilson. “We saw first-hand at our rookie tournament last summer what he can do with the puck and think he will fit perfectly within our puck pressure system.”
The 23-year-old was a stand out player this year in Switzerland’s top league. In 45 games, Praplan tallied 15 goals and 24 assists for 39 points. Praplan is leading his team in goals, assists, and points this year and is within the top 20 players in the entire NLA in each stat category.
In addition to his successful 2017-2018 season, Praplan also represented his home country at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and participated in all four games they played.
Praplan has managed 52 goals and 70 assists for 122 points in 196 career NLA games through four full seasons. He has also added one goal and three assists in 19 career playoff games. Playing with EHC Kloten, he was a key piece in their eventual win in the Swiss Cup last year. He added three goals and three assists for six points in the five games.
The versatile forward has also represented his country on the international stage many times now, having competed in the 2018 Olympics, the 2017 World Championships, the 2014 World Juniors, and lastly the 2011-2012 Hlinka Memorial tournament.
The Swiss player also added one season in the OHL in his young career, posting 19 goals and 34 assists for a total of 53 points in 61 total games with the North Bay Battalion. The six-foot-one forward played with current Sharks player, Barclay Goodrow, on that Brampton squad.
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