San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has made significant changes to the team’s coaching staff, dismissing head coach David Quinn and head athletic trainer Ray Tufts. The moves come after a disappointing 19-54-9 season for the Sharks, who finished last in the NHL’s Western Conference.
Grier, who took over as general manager in April 2022, said the decision to fire Quinn was not based solely on the team’s record. He emphasized that the Sharks’ young prospects, such as William Eklund and Thomas Bordeleau, are still on the right developmental track.
“I knew what the roster was and wasn’t expecting us to be a playoff team,” Grier said. “It’s all part of the autopsy of the season. you know, all those things go into it. Talking with the staff here. Players, owner, everyone who’s in the hockey ops department, that’s part of the process of evaluating everything.”
Grier declined to elaborate on specific reasons for Quinn’s dismissal, but he did say that there were “some things, I don’t really want to get into too much that we would have liked to have seen better.”
The Sharks have not set a timeline for hiring a new head coach, but Grier said he is looking for someone with NHL or pro hockey experience who can help the young team grow.
“I think that’s something I’m not ready to get into,” Grier said. “I think meeting with the players and reviewing this season, I think I have an idea of what they’re looking for, what they need, and what I think they need. I’ll keep that internally, for now.”
In addition to Quinn, the Sharks have also parted ways with head athletic trainer Ray Tufts, who had been with the team for 27 years. Grier said the decision was not related to the Sharks’ league-high 459 man games lost to injury this past season.
“He’s done a heck of a job taking care of our players and treating our players for such a long time. Part of a lot of success here,” Grier said. “I think it was just, another situation that as we move forward, we thought it was in the best interest of the organization.”
The Sharks have also retained San Jose Barracuda head coach John McCarthy, who will continue to lead the team’s AHL affiliate.
“We’re still working through the Barracuda stuff. Right now, I would expect Johnny Mac to be back,” Grier said. “We’ll have to see how his assistants go. Both their contracts are up. That’s a whole ‘nother subject.”
The Sharks will be hoping for a fresh start under a new head coach and will look to build on the progress made by their young players in the upcoming season.
