SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Western Michigan junior defenseman Matt Tennyson has signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks as announced by the Sharks on Thursday evening.

Tennyson, a San Jose area native, is coming off a career-best season in which he netted 11 goals and tallied 13 assists for 24 points. He was named Second Team All-CCHA and helped WMU to its second ever CCHA Tournament Championship. Tennyson was the first defenseman to net 10 goals in a season since the 2001-02 campaign and was a finalist for CCHA Best Offensive Defenseman. 

"I'm very excited to start my pro career with the San Jose Sharks," said Tennyson. "It is something I have dreamed about for a long time. I would like to thank all the coaches, players and staff that have helped me over my three years at Western Michigan. It is been the best time of my life and I will never forget it."

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound blue-liner played two years of midget hockey for the San Jose Junior Sharks before heading to the NAHL with the Texas Tornado. He also played for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders of the USHL before heading to Western Michigan. He becomes the first player in the history of the Jr. Sharks to sign a professional contract with San Jose.

"We are so happy for Matt for pursuing his dream of professional hockey with a great organization like San Jose," said head coach Andy Murray. "Matt is a Bronco through and through and represented us well on and off the ice as both an athlete and a student in the business college."

Tennyson ends his career with the Broncos having played in 117 career games with 22 goals and 32 assists for 54 points.