Sharks, Wilson Jr. Part Ways

The San Jose Sharks and director of scouting Doug Wilson Jr. have parted ways.

Wilson Jr. has run the last six San Jose Sharks’ drafts, going back to 2017. He also had a big hand in European pro scouting.

According to Pierre LeBrun – the news was broken by Kevin Weekes – Wilson Jr. “had a year left on his deal with the Sharks but both sides felt it made sense to move on, given connection to his dad Doug and to give new Sharks GM Mike Grier a fresh start.”

Is this portrayal accurate? “I believe that is [right],” a source told San Jose Hockey Now.

Regardless, it’s a surprising move, given that Wilson Jr. was face front after both days of the 2022 Draft, speaking with the media along with Grier and assistant general manager Tim Burke. We’ll see if there’s more to this story in the coming months.

Wilson Jr. is credited with selecting Josh Norris, Mario Ferraro, Ryan Merkley, William Eklund, and Thomas Bordeleau, among other Sharks prospects. While Wilson Jr. has faced extra scrutiny because he rose in the organization while his father, Doug Wilson, was GM of the San Jose Sharks, every indication that SJHN has received from outside sources is that Wilson Jr. is much respected around the league.

“Wilson Jr. already talking to other front offices, looking for next opportunity,” LeBrun noted.

But it looks like Grier wants his own man or woman to head the Sharks’ scouts, and Wilson Jr.’s body of work couldn’t persuade him otherwise.

It’s been a week of unthinkable tragedy and shocking upheaval for the San Jose Sharks’ scouting staff: Veteran scouts Gilles Cote and Brian Gross appear headed for retirement. Bryan Marchment passed away at the Draft. And now, Wilson Jr. is moving on.

There’s no word of additional changes to the Sharks’ scouting staff – at the moment.