Devils Acquire Left Wing Alexander Korolyuk
& Defenseman Jim Fahey from Sharks
New Jersey Sends Defenseman Vladimir Malakhov to San Jose

East Rutherford, NJ (Oct. 1, 2006) – The New Jersey Devils acquired left wing Alexander Korolyuk and defenseman Jim Fahey from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Vladimir Malakhov, and a conditional first-round pick in the NHL Entry Draft.  The announcement was made by Devils CEO/President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello.

Korolyuk, 30, recorded 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points and 86 penalty minutes in 45 games with Vityaz Chekhov (Rus.) last season.  He last played in the NHL during the 2003-04 season, posting an NHL career-high 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points in 63 games with San Jose.  The 5-9, 190 lb. winger added five goals and two assists for seven points in 17 playoff games that year. Korolyuk’s NHL career totals show 62 goals and 80 assists for 142 points and 140 penalty minutes in 296 games, all with the Sharks.  He made his NHL debut in 1997-98, and split the 1997-98 and 1998-99 seasons between San Jose and Kentucky (AHL).  Korolyuk made his North American debut with Manitoba (IHL) in 1996-97, and since that time, has also seen Russian League action with Ak Bars Kazan in 2000-01 and 2002-03, and Voskresensk in 2004-05. The native of Moscow’s international experience includes the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, two World Championships, as well as two World Junior Championship tourneys.  Korolyuk was San Jose’s sixth choice, and 141st overall selection in the 1994 Entry Draft.

Fahey, 27, will be entering his fifth professional season.  He posted two assists in 21 games with San Jose last season.  Fahey has career totals of one goal and 23 assists for 24 points and 65 penalty minutes in 79 games, making his NHL debut in 2002-03.  The 6-0, 205 lb. defenseman has also seen action with Cleveland (AHL) during parts of three seasons from 2002-03 through 2004-05.  Fahey was San Jose’s ninth choice, and the 212th overall selection in the 1998 draft.  The native of Boston, MA played four seasons at Northeastern (HE) prior to turning pro, and was a member of the Hockey East First All-Star Team his senior season.  Fahey represented the United States at the 2003 World Championships.

Malakhov, 38, posted four goals and five assists for nine points and 26 penalty minutes in 29 games with the Devils last season.  He was re-acquired by New Jersey as a free agent on August 4, 2005.  Malakhov’s NHL career includes 86 goals and 260 assists for 346 points and 697 penalty minutes in 712 games with the NY Islanders, Montreal, New Jersey, the NY Rangers, and Philadelphia.