General Manager of the San Jose Sharks, Mike Grier, announced that the team has hired five different individuals to add to their hockey operations department, with a couple of notable names on the list. Jack Anderson has been hired as the team’s strength and conditioning coach, Jaren Burke as a Canadian scout, Igor Eronko as a Russian scout, as well as former player Thomas Vanek as an amateur scout, and former goaltender Ryan Miller as a goalie scout.
Grier also mentioned that Miller would be working closely with Evgeni Nabokov, the team’s current goalie development coach, in a similar role. Although neither Miller nor Vanek played for the Sharks during their professional careers on the ice, the two did play with Grier with the Buffalo Sabres back during the 2005-06 season, as well as the last two seasons in Grier’s career from 2009-11.
For Vanek, this will be his first position in an NHL organization outside of his career as a player. Drafted fifth overall by the Sabres in the 2003 NHL Draft, Vanek would become one of the better goal-scorers in the league during his time in Buffalo. After a midseason trade sent him to the New York Islanders in 2013, Vanek became more of a secondary scoring option on most of the teams he played for, still producing solid offensive numbers until the conclusion of his career. Vanek’s last year in the NHL came during his second stint with the Detroit Red Wings in the 2018-19 season, officially retiring in 2020.
Much like Vanek, Miller’s best years of his career came during his time with the Sabres organization. Highlighted by a Vezina Trophy win during the 2009-10 season, Miller became one of, if not the greatest American-born goalie of all time. During the 2013-14 trade deadline season, Miller became one of the most sought-after prizes for contending teams and landed with the St.Louis Blues to finish out the regular season. After his time in St.Louis, Miller would conclude his career after the 2021-21 NHL season, after moderately lengthy stays with both the Vancouver Canucks and Anaheim Ducks. Now almost a year ago, it was announced that Miller would be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
For the most part, it does appear to be a mostly personal hire from Grier’s perspective, since neither Vanek nor Miller have any professional coaching experience off the ice. However, given the career success of both of these players and their relationships having played together for so long, should become a success for the Sharks organization and the overall development of the team.
What the Sharks need is a qualified GM and an owner that cares!!!!!
Who hurt you?
Just being factual.
Yelling, screaming, ranting and guessing as to how much ownership and management cares is not being factual. That is an tantrum based on speculation. Ownership is that same as when the Sharks were making a long run of playoff appearances and a spot in the final. Now they suddenly don’t care? Mike Grier took the job but he doesn’t care? Your aimless babbling is based in everything but fact.
You do realize that “factual” means being based on FACTS. Your opinions are not FACTS!
If you were the actual former NHL player I would think your opinions might have more credibility.
I am not President of the Grier fan club, But my God give him a chance!!!! Wilson screwed that team for the next 5 years!!! It would be a challenge for the best GM in the league Steve Yzerman to even fix this team.
I agree with rdiddy. That was a huge contract to get out of pretty unscathed. I bet you the deal with owners was “if you save us millions on that deal, you can hire lots of help for you” Bang – 5 hires.
I question his thoughts on Yzerman as best GM though. The Red Wings are still floundering as he keeps changing players and the draft picks just aren’t working out (dumping top drafted player for nothing). Bad goalie changes every year. He got lucky in Tanmpa with a great hockey staff. He doesn’t have that now (they all stayed in Tampa). Not a coincidence that Tampa keeps pumping away, and Red Wings not.