SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks have hired Mike Grier to lead the team’s front office, making history as the first Black general manager in the history of the National Hockey League.
Grier replaces longtime general manager and hall of famer Doug Wilson, who stepped down earlier this year after 19 seasons with the Sharks franchise.
The new general manager comes to San Jose as the franchise rebuilds after missing the playoffs for three straight seasons. Last week, the Sharks fired head coach Bob Boughner and three of his assistants.
“The San Jose Sharks are a franchise with history of success, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of getting this franchise back to its winning ways,” Grier said at his introductory news conference Tuesday morning.
“To all the Sharks fans worldwide, I want you to know that myself and my staff will do everything possible to put a team on the ice that you can be proud of and to bring a Cup to the Bay Area,” he went on to say.
Along with finding a new coach, Grier will hit the ground running, with the NHL Draft set for Thursday and free agency starting next week.
Before joining San Jose, Grier served as hockey operations advisor with the New York Rangers. Previously, he was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils and the Chicago Blackhawks.
A NHL veteran, Grier has played 14 seasons on several teams, including with the Sharks, as a defenseman.