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Mike Grier, a retired hockey player, has been appointed general manager of the San Jose Sharks, making him the league’s first African American in that role.
Kevin Weekes, an ESPN commentator and former NHL goalkeeper, broke the story first.
The 47-year-old Grier wouldn’t be the first person in his family to occupy the position with a major sports team, despite becoming the first black general manager in the NHL. Chris, his elder brother, who has been the general manager of the Miami Dolphins since 2016, holds that honor.
Mike Grier, a retired hockey player, is expected to be appointed general manager of the San Jose Sharks, making history as the first African American to occupy that role for an NHL franchise.
Although the 47-year-old Grier would be the NHL’s first black general manager, he wouldn’t be the first member of his family to hold the title with a pro team. That distinction belongs to his older brother, Chris (pictured), who has served as the Miami Dolphins’ GM since 2016
Furthermore, the brothers’ father, Bobby, was Boston College’s first black full-time assistant coach and later served as a New England Patriots assistant and executive before moving to the Houston Texans and Dolphins.
Dirk Graham, who coached the Blackhawks for a portion of one season in 1999, is still the league’s first and only black head coach.
Over the course of his 14 NHL seasons, the younger Grier played for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks. The former Boston University standout has since served as an advisor to the New York Rangers and a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks.
The NHL has been slower to integrate than more varied leagues like the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball.
The NHL didn’t have a black player until Willie O’Ree debuted for the Boston Bruins in 1958.
The league didn’t see its first black coach for another 40 years, when Dirk Graham briefly held the position for the Chicago Blackhawks for 59 games in 1999. Graham, who now works as a Sharks scout, remains the only African-American head coach in NHL history.
Grier will replace interim Sharks GM, Joe Will, who took over in November when Doug Wilson stepped down for medical reasons. The team recently fired head coach Bob Boughner and his staff, meaning Grier will be tasked with finding his replacement.
