Mike Grier has been hired as the new general manager of the San Jose Sharks. With the hire, Grier becomes the first Black man to hold a GM position in NHL history.
Brett Peterson became the league’s first Black assistant GM when the Florida Panthers hired him in Nov. 2020. The 47-year-old Grier played 1,060 games with four NHL teams over his 14-year career, including three seasons with the Sharks.
After retiring, he worked for several teams in different capacities including the New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, and New York Rangers.
He spent the 2021-22 NHL season as the Rangers’ hockey operations advisor. “I am extremely proud and grateful to be given the opportunity to be the general manager of the San Jose Sharks,” said Grier. “Along with my staff, I look forward to the challenge of building a fast, competitive, and hardworking team that Sharks fans will enjoy watching and be proud of.