BREAKING: Wilson Steps Down As Sharks GM, Players React

After being away from the role since November 2021 due to an ongoing medical condition, the San Jose Sharks have announced that Doug Wilson has stepped down from his position as general manager.

Wilson served as Sharks GM for 19 years and watched the team he assembled reach the post-season in 14 of them. The peak of his time as GM came as the Sharks reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2016.

In the morning’s press release from the Sharks organization, Wilson reflected on his years leading the team as GM:

“These past 19 years serving as general manager of the San Jose Sharks have been a privilege and one of the most fulfilling and enjoyable periods of my life. I have been incredibly fortunate to work for and with some of the most talented and passionate people in the game of hockey.”

He also noted that his health is improving and that he hopes to work in the NHL again one day.

He leaves behind a positive legacy with the team, with San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner spoke on how he views Wilson after Thursday morning’s news.

Boughner: “If there's one name you could think that's built this franchise from the bottom up, it’s Doug Wilson.”

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 7, 2022

Shortly after, captain Logan Couture echoed Boughner’s sentiment.

Couture: "When you think of San Jose, when you think of the Sharks, for me, it's probably Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton, Doug Wilson, Joe Pavelski."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 7, 2022

Tomas Hertl still believes in the San Jose Sharks, evidenced by him re-signing an eight-year extension with the franchise last month.

Hertl says even up to his re-signing, he was under the impression that Doug wanted to come back

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 7, 2022

Meanwhile, Erik Karlsson was candid about how the San Jose Sharks players should be taking the news of a new GM taking over.

Karlsson, on a new GM coming in: "We're in a position right now, where we haven't done very well for an extended period of time. We should feel a bit uneasy. Things are going to change, things are gonna have to change."

— Sheng Peng (@Sheng_Peng) April 7, 2022

Doug Wilson has been a Shark since the start of the franchise, serving as captain during the first two seasons, where he posted 48 points in 86 games.

After he retired as a player in 1993, he re-joined the Sharks as Director of Player Personnel in 1997, serving in that position until he took over as San Jose’s GM in 2003.

From the 2003-04 to the 2018-19 season, Wilson’s Sharks made the playoffs in all but one season. This consistent success was highlighted by a Stanley Cup Final in 2016 and Western Conference Finals in 2004, 2010, 2011, and 2019.

Joe Will will remain as interim general manager until a permanent hire is made for the role, a process the Sharks have no intention of rushing through.