Middleton, 24, split the season with the Sharks and San Jose Barracuda, appearing in 10 NHL games recording two assists and nine penalty minutes. With the Barracuda, the defenseman registered six points (one goal, five assists) with 52 PIM in 32 games.
Previously in 2018-19, Middleton primarily skated with the Barracuda, appearing in 57 games and recording 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) with a plus-16 rating and 67 penalty minutes. Middleton also skated in three games for the Sharks, making his NHL debut on Jan. 5, 2019 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning and registered his first career NHL point (assist) on Apr. 4, 2019 at Edmonton Oilers.
Over his professional career, Middleton has skated in 13 NHL games, recording three assists and appeared in 206 AHL contests, recording 62 points (13 goals, 49 assists) with 255 PIM and a plus-13 rating. He was named to the AHL All-Star game once in 2018-19.
Prior to his professional career, Middleton skated in 226 games for the Ottawa 67's and Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 2012-13, he was named to the OHL Second All-Rookie Team.
The six-foot-three, 210-pound defenseman was originally selected by Los Angeles in the seventh round (202nd overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft.
