Mike Grier, son of former Texans executive, hired as NHL’s first Black GM by San Jose

Mike Grier, the son of former Texans player personnel executive Bobby Grier, was hired Tuesday by the San Jose Sharks, making him the NHL’s first Black general manager.

Mike Grier, 47, played 14 seasons in the NHL as a forward with Edmonton, Washington, Buffalo and San Jose. After he finished his playing career in 2011, he scouted for Chicago from 2014-18. Grier then moved into coaching as an assistant in New Jersey from 2018-20 before spending last season as hockey operations advisor for the New York Rangers and GM Chris Drury, his former teammate on Boston University’s 1995 national championship team. 

“It’s something that I’m extremely proud of,” Grier told reporters at his introductory news conference of becoming the league’s first Black GM. “Since my playing days, the league has gotten more and more diverse, more Black players in the league and minorities in the league. There’s more women and minorities in the front office in scouting and coaching positions. So from my standpoint, that’s something I am very happy to see.”

Mike Grier isn’t the first general manager of a major league team in the Grier family. His older brother Chris has been the Miami Dolphins’ general manager since 2016 after a scouting career with the Dolphins and New England Patriots.

Bobby Grier retired after the 2016 draft following 16 years with the Texans. Before his time in Houston, he had an 18-year stint in New England as an assistant coach, scout and player personnel executive. Prior to his final draft with the Patriots in 2000, Bobby Grier was the only NFL executive to check in with Michigan coach Lloyd Carr about an unheralded Wolverines quarterback named Tom Brady.

Bobby Grier (right) was hired as the Texans’ associated director of pro scouting in May 2000 by general manager Charley Casserly and stayed with Houston until his retirement after the 2016 draft.

D. Fahleson/Houston Chronicle

“I call Bobby the ‘Oz’ because I would go and see him and tell (Executive Assistant) Rita (Daniels), ‘If somebody is looking for me, I’m in the back of Bobby’s office,'” then-Texans GM Rick Smith told the team’s website when Bobby Grier retired.

“He’s like the Wizard of Oz. He’s been a valuable resource for me in the role and learning how to be a GM.”

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