*Photo from NBC Sports*
Attention NHL fans, we have history in San Jose. The San Jose Sharks have hired Mike Grier as their next general manager, according to an announcement made on Tuesday by the Sharks, which makes the news official.
Grier said that he is "Really excited to work and to be back in the Bay Area. I know there's been lots of ups and downs but I'm ready to work hard and get at it and get this thing back on the tracks. We're going to start winning some games in the "Shark Tank" and get it going again. See you soon."
The hiring of Grier is a historic hire by the Sharks, as it makes Grier the first black general manager in NHL history. Grier was also a former NHL player and Sharks player, which is another reason he was hired. Grier replaces interim GM Joe Will, who took over after Doug Wilson stepped down as Sharks GM in the middle of last season.
Asked about being the first black GM in the NHL, Grier said that "It's something I'm extremely proud of. Since my playing days, the league itself has gotten more and more diverse. There's more Black players in the league and minorities in the league. There's more women and minorities in front office, and scouting, and coaching positions."
The first task on Grier's plate is to find a new head coach, after Will fired Bob Boughner one week ago. Grier said that there is no timetable on when a new head coach could be expected. Also on Grier's to do list is the upcoming start of NHL free agency on July 13.
Grier said of improving the roster that "I think we can improve in every facet, to be honest with you. There are some pieces on the roster that we like, that we would like to build around. But I think, overall, there's not one spot in particular that I think needs work. The draft is No. 1, then we've got free agency coming up. We'll have to dig into that, and Joe and I have already started on that a bit. Then development camp and a coach."
Last season, Grier was with the New York Rangers organization, serving as a hockey operations adviser, helping with hockey decisions and player development off the ice. For the Rangers AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, Grier helped with player development on the ice.
Rangers president and GM Chris Drury said of Grier that "I have had the privilege of knowing Mike for nearly three decades and I have always had the utmost respect for him as a person, player and executive. I am proud to call him a friend and I look forward to see what he'll do with the Sharks. We will miss him in New York, but we wish him and his family all the best with this new opportunity."
Grier inherits a Sharks squad that missed the playoffs in a bit of a messy 2021-2022 season. The Sharks finished with only 77 points, ending the regular season in 6th place in the Pacific Division with a 32-37-13 record.
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