Rivet traded to Sharks

North Bay native Craig Rivet is packing his bags and heading to San Jose. The 12-year Montreal Canadiens veteran defenceman was dealt along with a 2008 fifth round pick to the Sharks in exchange for 22-year old defenceman Josh Gorges and a 2007 first round pick.

Rivet, who has missed the past 9 games dealing with a bout of pneumonia, has been rumoured to be on the trading block after Habs coach Guy Carbonneau made him a healthy scratch on January 16th in a game against the Vancouver Canucks.

The move should be a bonus for Rivet as he moves to a top contender in the Western Conference and will have more time to focus on hockey after being the most sought after english media interview with the Canadiens for the past two or three years. The pressure in one of hockey's most scrutinized market's will be something Rivet likely will not miss in San Jose.

"I have so many memories here in Montreal, not all good, but you know what? I've enjoyed every single minute," Rivet told the Montreal Gazette on Sunday night.

Rivet has six goals, 10 assists and 57 penalty minutes in 54 games this season as a quietly dependable presence on Montreal's blue-line. He is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent this summer.