A small revolution in the NHL with the appointment of Mike Grier on Tuesday at the head of the team, which becomes the first African-American to take the reins of a hockey franchise.
Mike Grier, named Tuesday at the head of the San José Sharks, will become the first black general manager in the history of the North American ice hockey league.
“I am extremely proud and grateful to have the opportunity to become the general manager of the San Jose Sharks”said Grier, 47, who played for the Sharks from 2006 to 2009, in a statement.
“I know there have been a lot of ups and downs but I am ready to work hard to get things back on track”adds Grier, who played 14 seasons in the NHL.
He will replace Doug Wilson, who resigned as general manager of the Sharks on April 7 for health reasons after 19 years at the helm of the franchise, which missed the play-offs in the last three seasons. She had played them in 14 of the previous 15 seasons.
Grier served last season as an advisor to hockey operations for the New York Rangers.
His older brother Chris Grier is the general manager of the Miami Dolphins in the NFL, the American football championship known for its famous SuperBowl.
Last season, there were five minority coaches for 32 NFL teams. Two of them were black, in a league where 70% of players are black.
In NBA basketball, there were 14 black or mixed-race coaches for 30 franchises last season.