Sharks’ Braun signs in Finnish league

The Sharks continue to swim across the Atlantic.

That was the story on Friday as yet another San Jose skater found work overseas — this time, it was defenseman Justin Braun, who agreed to a lockout deal with Tappara of the SM-liiga.

With the move, Braun became the third Shark to sign in Europe over the last two weeks. Backup netminder Thomas Greiss signed in Germany on Monday and the week prior, Michal Handzus inked with a Slovak Extraliga club.

Braun, 25, is coming off a breakthrough campaign in San Jose where he played in a career-high 66 games, scoring 2G-9A-11PTS while averaging 16:33 TOI per game.

The former University of Massachusetts standout also appeared in all five of the Sharks’ opening-round playoff contests against St. Louis, where his ice time increased to 17:55 per game.

In late June, Braun was rewarded for his efforts with a three-year, $3.75 million extension from the club.

As for playing in Finland…

Braun will join a Tappara lineup that’s been bolstered by some recent lockout signings. Ex-Minnesota Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster recently signed on and he was soon followed by Vancouver forward Jannik Hansen, who has posted six points in his first six SM-liiga contests.