Post by Leafs_Pam on May 13, 2003 22:13:20 GMT -5
www.sjsharks.com/sharks/news/20030513-1052840968.htm
San Jose Sharks President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Jamison has named Doug Wilson executive vice president and general manager, concluding the team's search for a new leader for the hockey department.
Wilson, 45, was the original Sharks captain and has served the past five seasons as San Jose's director of pro development, helping to recruit and sign players such as Gary Suter, Kyle McLaren, Vincent Damphousse, Mike Vernon and Teemu Selanne.
Wilson has also been active in nurturing San Jose's young talent by running special offseason camps and working hands-on with prospects such as Brad Stuart, Scott Hannan and Jim Fahey.
"Doug's work with us, in addition to is experience with the Canadian Olympic team and the NHLPA, displays the diversity necessary for an NHL general manager," said Jamison. "He also knows talent, which will always be the most important element for a general manager."
After a disappointing 2002-03 season, the Sharks are looking to Wilson to guide the club back to the post season next year. As hockey fans have witnessed in the Western Conference this season, being in the playoffs opens up all kinds of possibilities.
Jamison chose Wilson after an in-depth search to make sure he was getting the best available general manager.
"Obviously Doug was a strong candidate from the beginning, but this is the biggest decision we will make over the next few years," said Jamison on the two month search. "I've known Doug and his work for a long time, but I owed it to this organization and our fans to ensure we selected the right person."
While many presume Wilson may have had the inside track from the beginning, Jamison's group of finalists made for a tough choice.
"I talked to a lot of people, both former general managers and rising top assistants, and it made for a difficult decision," said Jamison. "Each individual has accomplished a lot. In the end, Doug has all the qualities the Sharks could ask for. First and foremost, he knows what needs to be done to assemble a winner. He understands the importance of finding both talent and the right team chemistry."
Wilson's front office experience extends far beyond his time with the Sharks. He served as part of the management team for Canada's 1998 Olympic team. He also served as a management consultant for Canada's entries in the 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 World Junior Championship tournaments — resulting in four consecutive gold medal finishes.
Wilson has spent the previous five seasons as the Sharks director of pro development where his primary responsibilities included evaluating talent at all professional and minor league levels and the continuous assessment of the Sharks roster and reserve list. In addition, he provided valuable input assisting in the club's player development programs and consulted with the hockey department on all major personnel issues, assignments and contract negotiations.
After retiring from his life as a player, Wilson was an integral member of the NHL Players' Association. With the NHLPA, he served as coordinator of player relations and business development and was primarily responsible for overseeing player relations, the development of business ventures and managing international affairs.
Acquired by San Jose from Chicago during training camp prior to the Sharks inaugural season (1991-92), Wilson brought instant credibility and respect to the young franchise. He played two seasons for the Sharks, scoring 48 points (12-36=48) in 86 games and, entering 2003-04, ranks tied for 45th on the Sharks all-time scoring list. Included in Wilson's Sharks career highlights are serving as the franchise's first team captain (1991-93), being the first-ever representative in an All-Star Game (1991-92), playing in his NHL-milestone 1,000th game on Nov. 21, 1992 (77th player in League history) and twice being named Sharks nominee (1992 and 1993) for the King Clancy Award (for leadership and humanitarian contribution both on-and off-the-ice). At his 1,000th NHL game played ceremony, he announced the creation of the Doug Wilson Scholarship Foundation to provide assistance to worthy college-bound Bay Area students, which continues today.
Wilson announced his retirement from the NHL as a member of the Sharks during training camp in 1993-94 after playing in 1,024 career games over 16 seasons. In addition, he played in 95 career playoff games and scored 80 points (19-61=80). The Ottawa, Ontario native scored 827 points (237-590=827) during his career that began in 1977-78 with the Chicago Blackhawks.
A first round draft choice (sixth overall) by the Blackhawks in 1977 after a stellar junior career with the Ottawa 67s (Ontario Hockey League), Wilson played 14 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the club's highest scoring defenseman in points (779-fifth overall), goals (225-11th) and assists (554-third). Wilson also ranks fifth all-time in games played (938) for Chicago. In addition, he led all Blackhawks defensemen in scoring for 10 consecutive seasons (1980-81 through 1990-91). In 1982 he captured James Norris Trophy, symbolic of the League's top defenseman, when he tallied 39 goals and 85 points.
He played in seven NHL All-Star Games (six with Chicago and one with San Jose) and was named to the NHL All-Star first team in 1981-82 and twice was named to the NHL All-Star second team (1984-85 and 1989-90) while with Chicago.
Wilson, who was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in September 1999, also serves on the NHL's board of directors for the alumni association.
In October 1998, the Ottawa 67s, Wilson's former junior team, honored his stellar career by retiring his No. 7 sweater. Known as an offensive defenseman, he recorded 295 points in 194 OHL games with the 67s from 1975-77. In addition, during the same weekend of activities in his hometown, he was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.
At the 2000 NHL All-Star Weekend, the 50th anniversary of the mid-season classic, Wilson played for the "post-expansion" Heroes of Hockey team who faced off against a squad of former Toronto Maple Leafs greats.
Wilson is the fourth general manager in team history, following Jack Ferreira (1991-92), Chuck Grillo (1992-96) and Dean Lombardi (1996-2003).
San Jose Sharks President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Jamison has named Doug Wilson executive vice president and general manager, concluding the team's search for a new leader for the hockey department.
Wilson, 45, was the original Sharks captain and has served the past five seasons as San Jose's director of pro development, helping to recruit and sign players such as Gary Suter, Kyle McLaren, Vincent Damphousse, Mike Vernon and Teemu Selanne.
Wilson has also been active in nurturing San Jose's young talent by running special offseason camps and working hands-on with prospects such as Brad Stuart, Scott Hannan and Jim Fahey.
"Doug's work with us, in addition to is experience with the Canadian Olympic team and the NHLPA, displays the diversity necessary for an NHL general manager," said Jamison. "He also knows talent, which will always be the most important element for a general manager."
After a disappointing 2002-03 season, the Sharks are looking to Wilson to guide the club back to the post season next year. As hockey fans have witnessed in the Western Conference this season, being in the playoffs opens up all kinds of possibilities.
Jamison chose Wilson after an in-depth search to make sure he was getting the best available general manager.
"Obviously Doug was a strong candidate from the beginning, but this is the biggest decision we will make over the next few years," said Jamison on the two month search. "I've known Doug and his work for a long time, but I owed it to this organization and our fans to ensure we selected the right person."
While many presume Wilson may have had the inside track from the beginning, Jamison's group of finalists made for a tough choice.
"I talked to a lot of people, both former general managers and rising top assistants, and it made for a difficult decision," said Jamison. "Each individual has accomplished a lot. In the end, Doug has all the qualities the Sharks could ask for. First and foremost, he knows what needs to be done to assemble a winner. He understands the importance of finding both talent and the right team chemistry."
Wilson's front office experience extends far beyond his time with the Sharks. He served as part of the management team for Canada's 1998 Olympic team. He also served as a management consultant for Canada's entries in the 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 World Junior Championship tournaments — resulting in four consecutive gold medal finishes.
Wilson has spent the previous five seasons as the Sharks director of pro development where his primary responsibilities included evaluating talent at all professional and minor league levels and the continuous assessment of the Sharks roster and reserve list. In addition, he provided valuable input assisting in the club's player development programs and consulted with the hockey department on all major personnel issues, assignments and contract negotiations.
After retiring from his life as a player, Wilson was an integral member of the NHL Players' Association. With the NHLPA, he served as coordinator of player relations and business development and was primarily responsible for overseeing player relations, the development of business ventures and managing international affairs.
Acquired by San Jose from Chicago during training camp prior to the Sharks inaugural season (1991-92), Wilson brought instant credibility and respect to the young franchise. He played two seasons for the Sharks, scoring 48 points (12-36=48) in 86 games and, entering 2003-04, ranks tied for 45th on the Sharks all-time scoring list. Included in Wilson's Sharks career highlights are serving as the franchise's first team captain (1991-93), being the first-ever representative in an All-Star Game (1991-92), playing in his NHL-milestone 1,000th game on Nov. 21, 1992 (77th player in League history) and twice being named Sharks nominee (1992 and 1993) for the King Clancy Award (for leadership and humanitarian contribution both on-and off-the-ice). At his 1,000th NHL game played ceremony, he announced the creation of the Doug Wilson Scholarship Foundation to provide assistance to worthy college-bound Bay Area students, which continues today.
Wilson announced his retirement from the NHL as a member of the Sharks during training camp in 1993-94 after playing in 1,024 career games over 16 seasons. In addition, he played in 95 career playoff games and scored 80 points (19-61=80). The Ottawa, Ontario native scored 827 points (237-590=827) during his career that began in 1977-78 with the Chicago Blackhawks.
A first round draft choice (sixth overall) by the Blackhawks in 1977 after a stellar junior career with the Ottawa 67s (Ontario Hockey League), Wilson played 14 seasons in Chicago and still ranks as the club's highest scoring defenseman in points (779-fifth overall), goals (225-11th) and assists (554-third). Wilson also ranks fifth all-time in games played (938) for Chicago. In addition, he led all Blackhawks defensemen in scoring for 10 consecutive seasons (1980-81 through 1990-91). In 1982 he captured James Norris Trophy, symbolic of the League's top defenseman, when he tallied 39 goals and 85 points.
He played in seven NHL All-Star Games (six with Chicago and one with San Jose) and was named to the NHL All-Star first team in 1981-82 and twice was named to the NHL All-Star second team (1984-85 and 1989-90) while with Chicago.
Wilson, who was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall of Fame in September 1999, also serves on the NHL's board of directors for the alumni association.
In October 1998, the Ottawa 67s, Wilson's former junior team, honored his stellar career by retiring his No. 7 sweater. Known as an offensive defenseman, he recorded 295 points in 194 OHL games with the 67s from 1975-77. In addition, during the same weekend of activities in his hometown, he was inducted into the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.
At the 2000 NHL All-Star Weekend, the 50th anniversary of the mid-season classic, Wilson played for the "post-expansion" Heroes of Hockey team who faced off against a squad of former Toronto Maple Leafs greats.
Wilson is the fourth general manager in team history, following Jack Ferreira (1991-92), Chuck Grillo (1992-96) and Dean Lombardi (1996-2003).
