SAN JOSE – San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has assigned right wing Steve Bernier and defenseman Matt Carle to the Worcester Sharks, the team’s top development affiliate in the American Hockey League.

Carle, 22, currently leads all San Jose Sharks defensemen with 21 points (3-18=21). Among League rookies, he is sixth in points, fourth in assists and tied for third in power play points (2-10=12) in 39 games played.

Carle spent last season at the University of Denver and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA collegiate hockey player in America. The defenseman tallied 11 goals and 42 assists for 53 points in just 39 games.

The six-foot, 205-pound native of Anchorage, Alaska was selected by San Jose in the second round (47th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

Bernier, 21, has appeared in 39 games posting 25 points (11-14=25), which is fourth-best on the team. His six power play goals are fourth on the team and his three game-winning goals are tied for third. He ranks 12th among all League forwards in hits (88).

Bernier started the 2005-06 season with the Cleveland Barons, San Jose’s top development affiliate last year, and tallied 43 points (20+23=43) in 49 games. Following those 49 games, Bernier was recalled to San Jose (NHL) and registered 27 points (14+13=27) in 39 regular season games. He also appeared in 11 playoff games and recorded six points (1+5=6) with San Jose.

The six-foot-two, 235-pound native of Quebec City, Quebec was selected by San Jose in the first round (16th overall) of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.