1991–92 San Jose Sharks season

The 1991–92 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' inaugural season. They finished in sixth place in the Smythe Division with a record of 17 wins, 58 losses, and 5 ties for 39 points. Goaltender Jeff Hackett was named team MVP.

1991–92 San Jose Sharks
Division6th Smythe
Conference11th Campbell
1991–92 record17–58–5
Home record14–23–3
Road record3–35–2
Goals for219
Goals against359
Team information
General managerJack Ferreira
CoachGeorge Kingston
CaptainDoug Wilson
Alternate captainsKelly Kisio
Neil Wilkinson
ArenaCow Palace
Team leaders
GoalsPat Falloon (25)
AssistsPat Falloon (34)
PointsPat Falloon (59)
Penalty minutesLink Gaetz (326)
WinsJeff Hackett (11)
Goals against averageJeff Hackett (3.84)

Offseason

Connection to Minnesota

The Gund family had been partners in the Oakland Seals franchise which was moved to Cleveland to become the NHL Cleveland Barons. This franchise was merged with the North Stars franchise and the Gunds became partners in the North Stars' franchise. The Gund family had long wanted to bring hockey back to the Bay Area, and asked the NHL for permission to move the North Stars there in the late 1980s, but were vetoed by the league. Meanwhile, a group led by former Hartford Whalers owner Howard Baldwin was pushing the NHL to bring a team to San Jose, where a new arena was being built. Eventually a compromise was struck by the league, where the Gunds would sell their share of the North Stars to Baldwin's group, with the Gunds receiving an expansion team in the Bay Area to begin play in the 1991–92 NHL season.[1] In return, the North Stars would be allowed to participate as an equal partner in an expansion draft with the new Bay Area team. Neither team retains the history of the Seals/Barons franchise.

On May 5, 1990, the Gunds officially sold their share of the North Stars to Baldwin and were awarded a new team in the Bay Area, based in San Jose. Over 5000 potential names were submitted by mail for the new team. While the first-place finisher was "Blades", the Gunds were concerned about the name's negative connotations (weapons, etc.) and went with the runner-up, "Sharks". The name was said to have been inspired by the large number of sharks living in the Pacific Ocean. Seven different varieties live there, and one area of water near the Bay Area is known as the "red triangle" because of its shark population. The team's first marketing head, Matt Levine, said of the new name, "Sharks are relentless, determined, swift, agile, bright and fearless. We plan to build an organization that has all those qualities."[2]

Drafting

On top of the normal expansion process, the Sharks participated in a draft to select players from the North Stars. The Sharks and Stars then participated in an expansion draft. Both teams selected in the NHL Entry Draft. The Sharks selected second-overall in the first round, and then first-overall in the following rounds. The Sharks selected Pat Falloon with their first pick, regarded widely as a draft bust.

Captain

Defenceman Doug Wilson was acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks. He was named the franchise's first team captain.

Regular season

The Sharks played their first ever game on October 4, 1991, against the Vancouver Canucks at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, losing 4–3 to the Canucks. Craig Coxe scored the first goal in team history. The next night, on October 5, the Sharks played their first ever home game at the Cow Palace, losing 5–2 to Vancouver. The club earned their first victory during their third game, on October 8, as Kelly Kisio scored the game-winning goal at 16:45 of the third period, leading the Sharks to a 4–3 win over the Calgary Flames. Goaltender Brian Hayward made 36 saves to earn the victory.

After recording their first win, the Sharks lost their next 13 games, falling to 1–15–0, before putting together back-to-back wins over the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders. The team earned their first ever tie against the Detroit Red Wings on November 14, as the teams skated to a 3–3 score. On November 29, after losing their first 13 road games, the Sharks earned their first ever point on the road, as San Jose tied the Edmonton Oilers, 4–4, at Northlands Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The next night, on November 30, the Sharks held off the Calgary Flames for a 2–1 victory at the Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, earning their first ever road victory.

Throughout the season, the Sharks allowed 10 or more goals in a game three times, which included a club-record 11 goals allowed against the Detroit Red Wings on February 15, 1992, as Detroit defeated the Sharks, 11–1. The team did not earn any shutouts during the season. The most goals San Jose scored in a game was on February 26, as the Sharks defeated the Quebec Nordiques, 7–4. The team was shut out nine times, the first one being on October 23, losing 3–0 to the Hartford Whalers.

Overall, San Jose finished the season with a 17–58–5 record, earning 39 points, and sixth place in the Smythe Division, 35 points behind the fifth-place Calgary Flames, and 42 points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the final playoff position in the division.

Rookie Pat Falloon led the club with 25 goals, 34 assists and 59 points in 79 games. David Bruce was the only other Shark to score 20 or more goals, as he had 22 goals and 38 points in 60 games. Brian Mullen scored 18 goals and 46 points in 72 games. On defence, Doug Wilson had nine goals and 28 points in an injury-shortened 44 games to lead the blueline. Link Gaetz provided the team toughness, earning 326 penalty minutes in only 48 games, while chipping in with six goals and 12 points.

In goal, Jeff Hackett earned the most playing time, going 11–27–1 with a 3.82 GAA and .892 save percentage in 42 games.

The Sharks finished the season 22nd in both scoring (219 goals for) and goaltending (359 goals against).[3]

Season standings
Smythe Division[4]
GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Vancouver Canucks8042261228525096
2 Los Angeles Kings8035311428725084
3 Edmonton Oilers8036341029529782
4 Winnipeg Jets8033321525124481
5 Calgary Flames8031371229630574
6 San Jose Sharks801758521935939
Campbell Conference[5]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1Detroit Red WingsNRS8043251232025698
2Vancouver CanucksSMY8042261228525096
3Chicago BlackhawksNRS8036291525723687
4Los Angeles KingsSMY8035311428729684
5St. Louis BluesNRS8036331127926683
6Edmonton OilersSMY8036341029529782
7Winnipeg JetsSMY8033321525124481
8Calgary FlamesSMY8031371229630574
9Minnesota North StarsNRS803242624627870
10Toronto Maple LeafsNRS803043723429467
11San Jose SharksSMY801758521935939

Divisions: NRS – Norris, SMY – Smythe
bold – Qualified for playoffs

Schedule and results
No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1LOctober 4, 19913–4@ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)0–1–0
2LOctober 5, 19912–5Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)0–2–0
3WOctober 8, 19914–3Calgary Flames (1991–92)1–2–0
4LOctober 10, 19914–5Winnipeg Jets (1991–92)1–3–0
5LOctober 12, 19913–6@ St. Louis Blues (1991–92)1–4–0
6LOctober 13, 19913–7@ Chicago Blackhawks (1991–92)1–5–0
7LOctober 16, 19915–8@ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92)1–6–0
8LOctober 17, 19912–8Minnesota North Stars (1991–92)1–7–0
9LOctober 19, 19911–4Boston Bruins (1991–92)1–8–0
10LOctober 23, 19910–3@ Hartford Whalers (1991–92)1–9–0
11LOctober 25, 19911–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92)1–10–0
12LOctober 26, 19910–9@ New Jersey Devils (1991–92)1–11–0
13LOctober 29, 19914–8@ New York Islanders (1991–92)1–12–0
14LOctober 31, 19912–5@ Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92)1–13–0
15LNovember 2, 19913–6@ Quebec Nordiques (1991–92)1–14–0
16LNovember 4, 19911–4@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92)1–15–0
17WNovember 8, 19916–2Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)2–15–0
18WNovember 9, 19914–3New York Islanders (1991–92)3–15–0
19LNovember 12, 19911–7Buffalo Sabres (1991–92)3–16–0
20TNovember 14, 19913–3 OTDetroit Red Wings (1991–92)3–16–1
21LNovember 16, 19910–1@ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)3–17–1
22LNovember 19, 19912–3 OTLos Angeles Kings (1991–92)3–18–1
23LNovember 22, 19911–3Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92)3–19–1
24LNovember 23, 19914–6@ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92)3–20–1
25WNovember 26, 19914–1Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)4–20–1
26TNovember 29, 19914–4 OT@ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)4–20–2
27WNovember 30, 19912–1@ Calgary Flames (1991–92)5–20–2
28WDecember 3, 19913–2 OTLos Angeles Kings (1991–92)6–20–2
29LDecember 5, 19910–8Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92)6–21–2
30LDecember 8, 19911–3@ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)6–22–2
31TDecember 10, 19913–3 OTWinnipeg Jets (1991–92)6–22–3
32WDecember 12, 19916–3Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)7–22–3
33LDecember 14, 19912–3Minnesota North Stars (1991–92)7–23–3
34LDecember 16, 19913–4 OT@ New York Rangers (1991–92)7–24–3
35LDecember 17, 19912–10@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92)7–25–3
36LDecember 19, 19910–4@ St. Louis Blues (1991–92)7–26–3
37WDecember 21, 19914–1Quebec Nordiques (1991–92)8–26–3
38LDecember 26, 19913–5@ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92)8–27–3
39LDecember 28, 19912–3Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)8–28–3
40WJanuary 3, 19923–1Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92)9–28–3
41LJanuary 4, 19920–1 OTMontreal Canadiens (1991–92)9–29–3
42LJanuary 7, 19921–4@ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)9–30–3
43LJanuary 8, 19923–10@ Calgary Flames (1991–92)9–31–3
44LJanuary 11, 19924–7@ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92)9–32–3
45WJanuary 12, 19924–3@ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92)10–32–3
46TJanuary 14, 19923–3 OT@ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92)10–32–4
47LJanuary 21, 19922–9@ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)10–33–4
48LJanuary 24, 19922–3Calgary Flames (1991–92)10–34–4
49WJanuary 25, 19925–2Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)11–34–4
50LJanuary 28, 19922–4New York Rangers (1991–92)11–35–4
51LJanuary 30, 19922–4St. Louis Blues (1991–92)11–36–4
52LFebruary 2, 19920–6@ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92)11–37–4
53WFebruary 4, 19926–5Hartford Whalers (1991–92)12–37–4
54WFebruary 5, 19925–2Chicago Blackhawks (1991–92)13–37–4
55LFebruary 9, 19922–6@ Washington Capitals (1991–92)13–38–4
56LFebruary 12, 19921–6@ Montreal Canadiens (1991–92)13–39–4
57LFebruary 14, 19926–7@ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92)13–40–4
58LFebruary 15, 19921–11@ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92)13–41–4
59LFebruary 18, 19922–4Washington Capitals (1991–92)13–42–4
60LFebruary 21, 19923–5Vancouver Canucks (1991–92)13–43–4
61LFebruary 23, 19922–4Calgary Flames (1991–92)13–44–4
62WFebruary 26, 19927–4Quebec Nordiques (1991–92)14–44–4
63TFebruary 28, 19923–3 OTMontreal Canadiens (1991–92)14–44–5
64LMarch 1, 19920–1Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92)14–45–5
65LMarch 4, 19923–4Los Angeles Kings (1991–92)14–46–5
66LMarch 6, 19923–7Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92)14–47–5
67WMarch 8, 19924–1Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92)15–47–5
68LMarch 10, 19921–5@ Chicago Blackhawks (1991–92)15–48–5
69LMarch 11, 19920–3@ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92)15–49–5
70WMarch 14, 19923–2New Jersey Devils (1991–92)16–49–5
71LMarch 17, 19924–5Detroit Red Wings (1991–92)16–50–5
72LMarch 19, 19921–3@ Calgary Flames (1991–92)16–51–5
73WMarch 21, 19925–4@ Hartford Whalers (1991–92)17–51–5
74LMarch 23, 19926–7@ Boston Bruins (1991–92)17–52–5
75LMarch 24, 19923–4@ New Jersey Devils (1991–92)17–53–5
76LMarch 26, 19924–7@ New York Islanders (1991–92)17–54–5
77LMarch 29, 19925–6@ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92)17–55–5
78LApril 12, 19924–6@ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92)17–56–5
79LApril 15, 19923–4Calgary Flames (1991–92)17–57–5
80LApril 16, 19923–5Winnipeg Jets (1991–92)17–58–5

[6]

Player statistics

Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Player GP G AST PTS PIM
Pat Falloon7925345916
Brian Mullen7218284666
David Bruce6022163846
Brian Lawton5915223742
Kelly Kisio4811263754
Dean Evason7411152699
Wayne Presley478142276
Perry Berezan661271930
Mike Sullivan648111915
Steve Bozek58881627
Dale Craigwell32511168
Pat MacLeod37511164
Paul Fenton601141533
Ken Hammond465101582
Perry Anderson484812143
Tony Hrkac22210124
Jeff Odgers617411217
Johan Garpenlov1256114
Don Barber121342
J.F. Quintin83030
Ray Whitney20330
Craig Coxe1020219
Mike McHugh810114
Mark Pavelich20114
Kevin Evans501125
Dave Snuggerud110114
Mikhail Kravets10000
Peter Lappin10000
John Carter40000
Ed Courtenay40000

Defencemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

Player GP G AST PTS PIM
Doug Wilson449192826
David Williams563252840
Neil Wilkinson6041519107
Jay More464131785
Link Gaetz486612326
Rob Zettler7418999
Bob McGill6231470
Rick Lessard802216
Mike Colman1501132
Claudio Scremin1300025

Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against

Player GP MIN W L T SO GAA
Wade Flaherty364503004.38
Jeff Hackett4223141127103.84
Brian Hayward730514004.92
Artūrs Irbe1364526304.47
Jarmo Myllys271374318105.02

Transactions

All Season Transactions
Date Traded Acquired Acquired From
May 30Greg PaslawskiTony HrkacQuebec Nordiques
May 30Tim KerrBrian MullenNew York Rangers
June 3Shane ChurlaKelly KisioMinnesota North Stars
Sept 6Kerry Toporowski, 1992 2nd rd. pickDoug WilsonChicago Blackhawks
Sept 201993 3rd rd. pickWayne PresleyChicago Blackhawks
Oct 2Dan KeczmerDean EvasonHartford Whalers
Oct 18Mike McHughPaul FentonHartford Whalers
Feb 7Tony Hrkac1993 conditional pickChicago Blackhawks
March 7Murray GarbuttDon BarberQuebec Nordiques
March 9Ken Hammond1992 8th rd. pickVancouver Canucks
March 9Bob McGill, 1992 8th rd. pickJohan GarpenlövDetroit Red Wings
March 9Wayne PresleyDave SnuggerudBuffalo Sabres

Draft picks

NHL Entry Draft
Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club Team
1 2 Pat Falloon Right Wing  Canada Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
2 23 Ray Whitney Left Wing  Canada Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
2 30 Sandis Ozolinsh Defense  Latvia Dynamo Riga (Russia)
3 45 Dody Wood Left Wing  Canada Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
4 67 Kerry Toporowski Defense  Canada Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
5 89 Dan Ryder Goalie  Canada Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
6 111 Fredrik Nilsson Left Wing  Sweden Vasteras IK (SEL)
7 133 Jaroslav Otevrel Left Wing  Czechoslovakia Zlin ZPS AC (Czech)
8 155 Dean Grillo Center  United States Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
9 177 Corwin Saurdiff Goalie  United States Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
10 199 Dale Craigwell Center  Canada Oshawa Generals (OHL)
11 221 Aaron Kriss Defense  United States UMass Lowell (NCAA)
12 243 Mikhail Kravets Right Wing  Russia Leningrad SKA (Russia)

NHL Supplemental Draft
Round # Player Position Nationality College/Junior/Club Team
1 1 Jeff McLean Center  Canada University of North Dakota (WCHA)
1 7 Mark Beaufait Center  United States Northern Michigan University (CCHA)

Dispersal Draft Results

The Sharks selected 24 players from the North Stars.

# Player
1.Shane Churla (RW)
2.Brian Hayward (G)
3.Neil Wilkinson (D)
4.Rob Zettler (D)
5.Ed Courtenay (RW)
6.Kevin Evans (LW)
7.Link Gaetz (D)
8.Dan Keczmer (D)
9.Dean Kolstad (D)
10.Peter Lappin (RW)
11.Pat MacLeod (D)
12.Mike McHugh (LW)
13.Jarmo Myllys (G)
14.Jean-Francois Quintin (LW)
15.Scott Cashman (G)
16.Murray Garbutt (C)
17.Rob Gaudreau (RW)
18.Artūrs Irbe (G)
19.Shaun Kane (D)
20.Larry Olimb (D)
21.Tom Pederson (D)
22.Bryan Schoen (G)
23.John Weisbrod (C)
24.Doug Zmolek (D)

Expansion Draft Results
# Player Drafted From
1.Jeff Hackett (G)New York Islanders
3.Jay More (D)Montreal Canadiens
5.Rick Lessard (D)Calgary Flames
7.Bob McGill (D)Chicago Blackhawks
9.Tim Kerr (F)Philadelphia Flyers
11.Jeff Madill (RW)New Jersey Devils
13.David Bruce (LW)St. Louis Blues
15.Greg Paslawski (RW)Buffalo Sabres
17.Bengt Gustafsson (F)Detroit Red Wings
19.Craig Coxe (C)Vancouver Canucks

Roster
1991–1992 San Jose Sharks Roster
Goaltenders

Defensemen

Wingers

Centers

References
  1. Cameron, Steve (1994). Feeding Frenzy! The Wild New World of the San Jose Sharks. Taylor Publishing Co. pp. 29–38.
  2. Gilmore, Tom (September 7, 1990). "Sharks Are Coming -- NHL Team Named". The San Francisco Chronicle. The Chronicle Publishing Co. p. D1. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  3. "1991-92 NHL Summary - Hockey-Reference.com". hockey-reference.com. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  4. "1991-1992 Division Standings". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
  5. "1991-1992 Conference Standings Standings - NHL.com - Standings". NHL.
  6. "1991–92 San Jose Sharks Games". Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
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