Sharks hire Mike Grier as NHL's first Black GM

Nov 9, 2018; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New Jersey Devils assistant coaches Rick Kowalsky and Mike Grier look on from behind the bench as center Travis Zajac (19) and left wing Taylor Hall (9) and left wing Marcus Johansson (90) watch the action against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The Maple Leafs beat the Devils 6-1. Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Sharks hire Mike Grier as first Black GM in NHL history

By Adam Stites | Last updated 7/5/22

The San Jose Sharks named Mike Grier the team's new general manager Tuesday, making him the first Black GM in NHL history.

"It's something I'm extremely proud of," Grier said of the barrier-breaking hire, via ESPN. "I realized there was a responsibility that comes with the territory but I'm up for it [with] how I carry myself and how the organization carries themselves. ... For me, my job is to do the best I can for the San Jose Sharks organization, and if I do that, hopefully it opens the door to give other opportunities to other minorities to get in front-office positions and maybe lead a team down the road as well."

Grier, 47, had a 15-year playing career in the NHL, including a three-season stint with the Sharks from 2006 to 2009. On Tuesday, he became the sixth person to become general manager of an NHL team he formerly played for.

There is no better source to confirm the news than himself.

Please say hello and hear from our new #SJSharks General Manager, Mike Grier. pic.twitter.com/kIrBGAU14i
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) July 5, 2022

The Sharks have finished below .500 and missed the playoffs in each of the last three seasons. This year, the team was 29-28-8 in late March before a 10-game losing streak tanked the team's postseason chances. Late last week, the team fired head coach Bob Boughner after three seasons.

Grier's brother, Chris, is the GM of the NFL's Miami Dolphins. Their father, Bobby, was an executive with the New England Patriots and Houston Texans.

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