Former player Mike Grier becomes first black GM in NHL history

History was made in the NHL today.

The San Jose Sharks officially announced the hiring of Mike Grier as the club’s general manager, making him the first black person to ever hold that role in the NHL.

The 47-year-old is replacing Doug Wilson, who served as the Sharks GM for 19 seasons, after he stepped down in April to focus on his health.

Mike Grier has officially been named general manager of the @SanJoseSharks.

He is the first Black GM in League history.

Details: https://t.co/wpEZq5qJHI pic.twitter.com/HmMD5wsStE

— NHL (@NHL) July 5, 2022

Grier, whose older brother Chris is the GM of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, is making the move to the west coast after spending last season as hockey operations adviser for the New York Rangers.

Before that, he started his post-playing career by spending six years in various roles with the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils.

As a player, Grier played 14 NHL seasons after being chosen in the ninth round of the 1993 draft by the St. Louis Blues.

He accumulated 383 points in 1,060 regular season games for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and Sharks.

Grier’s first task as Sharks GM will be hiring a new head coach, as San Jose is the only NHL club without one after firing Bob Boughner on July 1.

_{Thumbnail photo courtesy of Getty Images.}