Mike Grier becomes the first Black general manager in NHL history

By The Associated Press

“It’s not something I take lightly,” Grier said at a news conference introducing him as the San Jose Sharks new GM. “I realize there’s a responsibility that comes with the territory.”

The San Jose Sharks’ three-month search for a general manager ended with a barrier-breaking hire as the team made longtime NHL forward Mike Grier the first Black GM in league history.

“It means a lot to me,” Grier said at his introductory news conference Tuesday. “It’s not something I take lightly. I realize there’s a responsibility that comes with the territory. But I’m up for it. How I carry myself and how this organization carries himself, I think we’ll do well and hopefully we’ll leave a footprint and open some doors for people to follow.”

Grier fills the spot that opened when Doug Wilson stepped away for health reasons on April 7. Wilson had taken a leave of absence in November with Joe Will serving in the interim role since then.

Team President Jonathan Becher said Grier emerged from a pool of dozens of candidates because of his experience as a player, scout, coach and executive over the last few decades and his commitment to building a winning culture in San Jose.

But he acknowledged the history-making nature of the hire as well.

“I hope you do serve as an inspiration to lots of people and that I hope you’re the first and certainly not the last,” Becher told Grier.

Discover more about Grier’s career and why he is deserving of this position.

More people associate Black athletes and professionals with football, but the NFL has yet to have a Black owner as Robert F. Smith’s recent bid for the Broncos was turned down in favor of another.

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