Sharks hire Grier as NHL's first black general manager

The San Jose Sharks' three-month search for a general manager ended with a barrier-breaking hire as the team made longtime NHL forward Mike Grier the first black GM in league history.

"It means a lot to me," Grier said at a news conference on Tuesday. "It's not something I take lightly. I realize there's a responsibility that comes with the territory. But I'm up for it. How I carry myself and how this organization carries itself, I think we'll do well and hopefully we'll leave a footprint and open some doors for people to follow."

Grier fills the spot that opened when Doug Wilson stepped away for health reasons on April 7. Wilson had taken a leave of absence in November with Joe Will serving in the interim role since then.