NHL Team's Historic Hiring of the League's First Black GM

An NHL team is set to hire the league's first black general manager.

Kyle T. Mosley | Jul 5, 2022

According to NHL reporter Kevin Weekes, Mike Grier will become the general manager of the San Jose Sharks. The news may not be HBCU sports-related, but it is historic for blacks and minorities in the NHL.

Grier's hiring signals a significant change within the NHL. San Jose will make him the first black person ever to hold the title of general manager and the highest-ranking black executive in the National Hockey League.

His brother is Chris Grier, the Miami Dolphins' general manager; his father is Bobby Grier, who served as associate director of pro scouting for the Houston Texans, and vice president of scouting for the New England Patriots.

Grier, 47, will continue the lineage of blacks at executive levels in professional sports. Nevertheless, his hiring is groundbreaking. The NHL has existed since 1917, and no black person has ever held the general manager's position and power.

The St. Louis Blues selected Mike Grier as the 219th overall selection in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Grier was a right-wing out of Boston University. Before suiting up for the Blues, the Edmonton Oilers traded for Grier, where he played for six seasons.

The checking-line right-winger had stints with the Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks.

Grier is known for his tenacity, toughness, and gritty play in penalty-killing situations for his teams. Numerous shoulder injuries contributed to his retirement after playing over 1,000 NHL games. He officially announced his retirement from hockey on Dec. 1, 2011.

He has been an assistant coach for several NHL teams and returned to his high school to become a coach. On May 19, 2021, the New York Rangers hired Grier as its hockey operations advisor.

San Jose will have Grier assume the GM duties to replace interim general manager Mike Will who superseded longtime executive Doug Wilson. Severe health conditions influenced Willson to step away from the club in November 2021.

Grier officially had 1060 game appearances and scored 162 goals, 221 assists, and 383 points in regular-season action. During the postseason, he played in 101 contests and scored 14 goals, 14 assists, and 28 points. The rugged right-wing player notched 582 penalty minutes in his career.

Former All-Pro defensive tackle Rosey Grier is a relative of Mike Grier. Rosey played alongside HBCU legend Deacon Jones for the Los Angeles Rams as a member of the Fearsome Foursome defensive linemen.

Mike Grier as a son playing hockey with the Boston Jr. Terriers 03 AAA team.

Currently, no HBCU schools offer a hockey program. William Douglas wrote that Tennessee State is considering becoming the first HBCU to start a Division 1 hockey team.

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Published Jul 5, 2022

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me: