The National Hockey League may be on the precipice of Black history and it isn’t even February. Earlier today, Kristen Shilton of ESPN reported that the San Jose Sharks were planning to hire Mike Grier as their general manager. If the franchise moves forward with this decision, Grier will become the first Black general manager in the league’s history.
“It’s something I’m extremely proud of,” Grier told 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.”
As a pioneer in the league’s front office space, Grier has had to work hard to reach this point in his career. Prior to becoming a general manager, he played 14 seasons in the NHL before retiring in 2011. After a lengthy playing career, Grier worked as a scout with the Chicago Blackhawks and an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils before becoming the hockey operations advisor with the New York Rangers in 2021. Following a successful run in New York, Grier beat out San Jose Sharks interim General Manager Joe Will to earn the role.
Funny enough, Grier is not the only front office titan in his family. His brother, Chris, is the general manager of the Miami Dolphins. Their father, Bobby, laid the blueprint as a longtime NFL coach and executive in Miami, Florida.
Grier will begin his work this off-season as San Jose looks to end its longest postseason drought in franchise history.
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
