Mike Grier is named general manager of the San Jose Sharks, becoming the first black man in NHL history to hold the position, according to multiple reports.
The Sharks have not confirmed the hire, but have scheduled a press conference for Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. ET where Grier is expected to be officially announced as the new GM.
Grier, 47, played 14 seasons in the NHL for four different teams, including the Sharks, before retiring in 2011. Last season he was a hockey consultant for the New York Rangers and also worked as a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks from 2014 until 2018.
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Grier is the older brother of Miami Dolphins GM Chris Grier, who has held the role since 2016.
Grier will replace Sharks interim GM Joe Will, who took over in November when longtime GM Doug Wilson left the team for medical reasons. Wilson officially resigned in April after 19 seasons with the club.
The Sharks will reportedly appoint Grier as their GM four days after the firing of head coach Bob Boughner and his staff. The firing came late in the NHL offseason for a coaching change as eight other head coaching positions have already been filled, but Will said in a statement the new GM should have “full autonomy” to hire the next coach.
Once a dominant force in the Western Conference, the Sharks have missed the playoffs three straight seasons, the longest drought in franchise history.
San Jose has an experienced corps of players with varying degrees of trade protection in their contracts. San Jose is paying defensemen Erik Karlsson, Brent Burns and Marc-Edouard Vlasic – all over the age of 32 – a combined $26.5 million against the 2025 salary cap.