Mike Grier becomes NHL’s first black GM : NPR

Mike Grier has been named the normal supervisor of the San Jose Sharks, earning him the initially Black GM in Countrywide Hockey League record.

“I am extremely very pleased and grateful to be given the option to be the basic supervisor of the San Jose Sharks,” the 47-12 months-aged hockey veteran said in a statement. “Together with my personnel, I search forward to the problem of making a fast, competitive, and hardworking team that Sharks admirers will love seeing and be proud of.”

Grier has been an NHL hockey participant, scout, coach and govt. He spent 14 seasons in the league as a major defensive forwards and leader. Prior to the Sharks GM position, he was the New York Rangers’ hockey functions adviser.

In 1996, he grew to become the initial African American born and skilled in the U.S. to participate in in the NHL, in accordance to NHL.com. The NHL failed to keep track of innovative data right up until the 2005-06 time, but Grier ranks 10th between all NHL forwards in blocked pictures (315) and 33rd in hits (705).

Grier is just not the 1st standard manager in his loved ones, and arrives from a line of sports activities executives. His father, Bobby, serves as a specialist with the Miami Dolphins and is a very long-time government in the Countrywide Soccer League. Grier’s brother, Chris, has been the Dolphins’ GM considering the fact that 2016, and earlier worked in scouting with the New England Patriots.

“Mike’s productive profession on the ice speaks for by itself, but what impressed me the most were his management attributes and his frustrating wish to acquire,” Sharks owner Hasso Plattner reported.