The San Jose Sharks acquired James Sheppard from the Minnesota Wild on Saturday in exchange for a third round draft pick in 2013.
Sheppard, who was a restricted free agent, has signed with the Sharks. He missed all of last season due to a knee injury suffered in the offseason.
The 23-year-old Halifax native was drafted ninth overall in 2006 by the Wild but has yet to make an impact at the NHL level.
"We liked him very much in his draft year and he is a big, strong player with good upside," Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson said in a team statement.
In three seasons with the Wild, Sheppard scored 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in 224 games.
