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Deep Blue Sea: Sharks to honor Doug Wilson on Saturday

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Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Inductee Doug Wilson during a ceremony before the Toronto Maple Leafs face the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Arena on November 12, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images

Plus other opening weekend festivities, Bordeleau’s AHL attitude and more in today’s news and notes!

On Saturday night, the Chicago Blackhawks will be in town, and what better time to recognize former San Jose Sharks general manager Doug Wilson than in front of the two clubs impacted most by his legacy. The ceremony will mark the first time in nearly a year that Wilson has appeared in public. He first went on medical leave in Nov. 2021, and stepped down from his role with the team in April 2022. Wilson helmed the organization for 19 years, first hired in May 2003.

The 65-year-old has previously been inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame (1998), Chicago Sports Hall of Fame (1999) and the Hockey Hall of Fame (2020), recognizing his incredible career as a Norris-winning defender.

In his career as the Sharks’ general manager, he even signed Mike Grier to a three-year contract in 2006. He played all three seasons (and an additional two with the Buffalo Sabres), tallying 35 goals, 43 assists and 92 penalty minutes in 221 games. In July 2022, Grier was hired as Wilson’s replacement, making him the NHL’s first Black general manager.

According to Grier, Wilson has been a supporter through his journey to the top of the front office.

“It will be great to see him in on Saturday,” said Grier in a text message to The Mercury News. “He has been very supportive of me through this process. He has done so much for this city and organization that I’m thrilled that he is being honored.”

News & Notes

  • Doug Wilson believed in Mike Grier in 2006. The Sharks’ GM says his predecessor still has his back now [The Mercury News]
  • Ex-Sharks GM, who stepped down to focus on health, will attend ceremony in his honor [The Mercury News]
  • Sharks Announce Opening Weekend Festivities [NHL.com]
  • Bordeleau Ready to Dominate AHL [San Jose Hockey Now]
  • Sharks Could Use Mike Reilly, But Can They Fit Him In? [San Jose Hockey Now]

Blood in the Water

  • Crozier, former Sabres coach, dies at 93 [NHL.com]
  • Greene retires from NHL, signs one-day contract with Devils [NHL.com]
  • Avalanche receive 2022 Stanley Cup championship rings [NHL.com]
  • Kadri rings in new challenge against familiar foe in Flames’ season opener [Sportsnet]
  • How big are the Leafs? [Pension Plan Puppets]
  • Wild reportedly looking for ‘scoring help’ on trade market [Hockey Wilderness]
  • 4 bold predictions for the Flyers’ 2022-23 season [Broad Street Hockey]
  • The Summer of Jim Nill — or how the Stars GM patiently constructed his team for the 2022-23 season [Defending Big D]

Recaps & Scores

Click on a team name to find a recap on their SB Nation site!

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