Mike Grier named Sharks' GM; Shattuck Dman commits; Cockerill to Sweden

                     

Terrier All-American and longtime NHLer Mike Grier has been named general manager of the San Jose Sharks, becoming the first Black GM in NHL history.

The Holliston, Mass., native who concluded his NHL playing career in 2011 after 14 seasons, most recently has been a hockey operations advisor to his Terrier and Buffalo Sabres teammate, Chris Drury, president and GM of the Rangers.

During the Shark’s announcement press conference, it was noted by Sharks' President Jonathan Becher that Grier’s role with the Rangers was essentially that of assistant GM and the Drury’s strong endorsement played a significant role in the hiring decision. 

Grier’s brother, Chris, is general manager of the Miami Dolphins and their father, Bobby, has been a longtime executive in the NHL with the Patriots and Texans. His appointment comes exactly 50 years after the Milwaukee Bucks made Wayne Embry the first black GM in any of the four major sports.

Grier first drew the attention of the hockey world when, at age nine, he appeared in Sports Illustrated's "Faces In The Crowd" section:

"Michael, 9, a defenseman for the 35-19-8 Holliston Mites in the 7-to-9 year-old division of the Westboro ice hockey league, had 114 goals and 43 assists this season. In 1982-1983 he racked up 113 goals and 104 assists in 52 games."

He came to BU following a strong prep school career at St. Sebastian’s. After scoring 18 points as a freshman, he became a dominant scorer and a physical force during BU’s 1994-95 national championship season. Skating on a line with Chris O’Sullivan and Steve Thornton, Grier pumped home 29 goals and added 26 points en route to first-team All-American honors and BU's 4th national championship. As a junior he had 47 points (21G,26A) and then turned pro with Edmonton, which had acquired his draft rights from St. Louis (9^th round, 1993). 

A 6’1”, 225 lb., right wing, Grier produced 383 points (162 goals, 221 assists) in 1,060 regular-season games for the  Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and Sharks and 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) in 101 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Post-playing-career, he spent three seasons as a pro scout for Chicago and then two seasons as a N.J. Devils assistant under another Terrier teammate, John Hynes, before joining the Rangers in 2021.

Earlier this summer, former Terrier John McCarthy was named head coach of the Sharks’ AHL affiliate, the Barracuda.

Blog contributor and New York Times writer Neal Boudette attended today’s press conference. Along with his news story for The Times (link below), he provided us with the attached piece including Grier’s comments on the influence of his time at BU.

 

● NHL.com Grier hired by Sharks, first Black general manager in NHL history

● Mercury News.com Sharks make historic GM hire in Grier

● NYTimes.com Sharks Hire Mike Grier as NHL's First Black General Manager

● GoTerriers.com Grier Named General Manager of San Jose Sharks

●  Grier at BU video for Black History Month

●  Elite Prospects Page

 

►Mark Divver reports that rising senior Wilmer Skoog will attend the Vegas Golden Knights’ development camp this month. The Swedish center is BU's top returning goal scorer with 15 and second in points with 31.

Looking ahead

The first announced recruit under Terrier Hockey’s "new management" is 6'1" Canadian RD Aiden Celebrini, a late '04 who played for Shattuck's Prep Team last season His 32 points (2-30) in 55 games were second among SSM blueliners. Selected by Lincoln in the Phase 2 USHL draft, he recently made the all-star game at the Stars' main camp this weekend.

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2023 NHL Draft defenseman Aiden Celebrini has committed to BU.

Aiden’s a high-end talent in his own right but the question lands on how this will effect younger brother Macklin: the top forward in 2024.

Both have USHL hopes this year, Aiden with Lincoln and Macklin with Chicago https://t.co/S26Dteuxs1

— Gabe Foley (@NHLFoley) July 3, 2022

A native of N. Vancouver, B.C., Celebrini moved to California when his father, a former Canadian National Team soccer player, became team physician for the Golden State Warriors. Aiden played a season with the San Jose Jr. Sharks 15 AAA team before heading to SSM to play for the 16U AAA team.

Chris Heisenberg has listed Celebrini as a 2024 recruit.

Celebrini’s younger brother, Macklin, is a top '06 forward, who was tendered by Chicago Steel.

● Elite Prospects Page

 

Two other future Terriers were selected in the USHL draft, both by TriCity: RW Jack Pridham, who played for St. Andrews College last season, and LW Nick Roukounakis, who skated for West Kelowna.

 

Looking back

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Congrats, Coxy! Best of luck as you continue your hockey career in 🇸🇪 https://t.co/m9gSfbTVWD

— BU Men's Hockey (@TerrierHockey) July 1, 2022

Logan Cockerill, who captained BU for the past two seasons, will continue his career in Sweden with BIK Karlscoga.  The Michigan native, who had been drafted by the Islanders in 2017, scored 24 goals and added 33 assists as a Terrier.

 

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Chris Bourque, who announced his retirement as a player in April after 17-year pro career, will be working as a scout for @MapleLeafs this season with main focus on the amateur side

— Mark Divver (@MarkDivver) July 3, 2022

Chris Bourque played one season at BU, scoring 23 points. The highlight was scoring the overtime game-winner in the 2005 Beanpot Championship game.