The 6-foot-8 defenceman from Cambridge has signed  a three-year entry level deal with the NHL's San Jose Sharks.  The contract is worth $2.7 million, plus a $270,000 signing bonus.  Doherty can earn $900,000 a season if he makes the NHL.

 

No wonder the 230-pounder is playing with more panache for the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs lately.  He has six goals and two assists in his last seven games.

 

"With San Jose willing to sign me, it just gives me a whole lot of confidence going out there now to know that they're impressed with the way I'm playing," said Doherty, an 18-year-old, second-round Sharks pick last June.  "It makes me feel so much better as a player."

 

Doherty's hockey stature seemed to be faltering in late November.  He was overlooked to play in the Canada-Russia series, which is used to help rate world junior team hopefuls.  A trade to Guelph also fell through and other clubs, including Kitchener, started calling the Fronts to bid for his services.  However, in recent weeks, Doherty has shone for the Fronts with Kingston's other blueline kingpins unavailable.  Brian Lashoff helped the U.S. win gold at the worlds in Regina and Erik Gudbranson is out with mono.  "I think it's just me getting some more ice tme," Doherty said.  "Mabe the coaches have more trust in me the way I'm playing."

 

Now, Doherty's confidence is high and he aims to be a world junior participant next Christmas. 

 

He signed with the Sharks last week after San Jose contacted his agent, Mark Guy, to talk contract.  "It was kind of a surprise to me when they called," Doherty said.  Playing well and with an NHL contract, Doherty seems unlikely to be moved before Monday's trade deadline.  "Everything that I'm aware of is that he's sticking around in Kingston," Guy said.  Doherty is fine with that.  "Hopefully we can have a good last half of the season and make a run in the playoffs," he said.