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OHL North Bay Battalion

Vernace signs with Colorado Avalanche

June 2, 2006 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
North Bay Battalion News Release


BRAMPTON, Ont. - Defenceman Michael Vernace of the Brampton Battalion has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Colorado Avalanche, the National Hockey League club announced Thursday.

Colorado acquired the rights to Vernace from the San Jose Sharks earlier Thursday for a sixth-round pick in either the 2006 or 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Vernace, who was chosen by San Jose in the seventh round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, had to be signed by Thursday or reenter the draft this year.

"It went right down to the wire," Vernace said by telephone. "It was a stressful day, but I'm happy. Colorado's a great organization to go to. I hope they look at me as a prospect with some potential."

Vernace, who turned 20 on May 26, said a glut of blueliners in the San Jose organization prompted the Sharks to trade his rights.

"They had 14 defencemen signed in their system and they felt for my benefit it would be better if I got a chance elsewhere. Hopefully I can fit in with the Avalanche organization and work toward the NHL, because that's my ultimate goal."

Vernace said he attracted the Avalanche's attention during the club's monitoring of Battalion centre Wojtek Wolski in the recent Ontario Hockey League season. Wolski, a first-round choice by Colorado in 2004, opened the season in the NHL before being reassigned to the Battalion on Oct. 26 and then recalled for the Stanley Cup playoffs after the Troops' season ended.

"They came to see Wojtek all the time, and that was a bonus. They became familiar with me and the kind of game I play."

On the Avalanche website, Craig Billington, director of player development, described Vernace as "a highly skilled defenseman with great vision and passing ability who will enhance our organizational depth on the blueline."

"We were impressed with his development at this point in his career and we're looking forward to helping him continue that progression in our system."

Vernace, a Toronto resident, said he expects to play next season with the Albany River Rats, Colorado's American League affiliate.

"Stranger things have happened, but I have to be realistic. We'll see how things go there."

Chosen by the Battalion in the ninth round of the 2002 OHL Priority Selection, Vernace joined the Troops late in 2003-04 at the end of his season with the Bramalea Blues of the Provincial Junior A League. He had two points, including one goal, in two games and recorded two goals and three assists for five points in 11 playoff games.

Vernace had 50 points, including 12 goals, in 68 games with the Battalion in 2004-05 and added two goals and four points in six playoffs games.

Last season Vernace was second among league defencemen in scoring with 10 goals and club records of 62 assists and 72 points in 68 games. He had six points, including one goal, in 11 playoff games.

An OHL first team All-Rookie selection in 2004-05, Vernace was voted to the league's third All-Star team last season. He's the highest-scoring defenceman in Battalion history, with 23 goals and 101 assists for 124 points in 138 career games.

"It seems like a long time but it's only been a few years," said Vernace. "Everything's gone by so quickly, and I'm happy for the opportunity I got in Brampton. Stan Butler and everyone in the organization gave me a great chance, and I'll always have the Battalion to thank for everything I have in professional hockey."

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