NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Ovechkin reaches NHL record 13th season scoring 40 goals; Brian Boyle joins NHL Network; plus more

The Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin scored his 40th goal for the 13th time in his career setting an NHL record surpassing previous record holder Wayne Gretzky. The Capitals lost to the Blue Jackets in overtime 7-6 on Tue Mar 21, 2023. (photo by the Athletic)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin set an all time NHL record surpassing Wayne Gretzky for the most 40 goal NHL seasons doing it for the 13th time. The Caps were playing against the Columbus Blue Jackets when Ovechkin’s shot defected off the stick of the CBJ’s Nick Blankenburg at 5:12 in the first period on Tuesday night.

#2 Brian Boyle former NHL player will join NHL Network as a studio analyst, Boyle joins fellow studio analysts Jamison Coyle and Mike Rupp on NHL tonight seen Thursday and Friday. Boyle will work the intermission reports this Saturday with Tony Luftman. Boyle said while he didn’t want stop playing the game he will look forward to talking about the game.

#3 Jared Bednar signed a three year deal with the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday the contract goes into effect next season through 2023-24. Bednar took over for former Avalanche coach Patrick Roy on Aug 25, 2016 and is 281-190-52 in 523 regular-season games.

#4 In an NHL Players Association Poll the Pittsburgh Penguins Syd Crosby was voted the most complete player for the forth year in a row picking up 30.1 percent of the vote. Other NHL players Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Andrei Vasilevekskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews were also winners in the poll.

#5 The San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier has announced that forward Jacob Peterson has been recalled from their AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda. Peterson came to the Sharks from the Dallas Stars on Mar 3. Peterson has a career 66 games, 12 goals and five assists.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mike Grier hires David Quinn as new head coach of the San Jose Sharks

Newly hired head coach David Quinn of the San Jose Sharks and general manager Mike Grier hold up Quinn’s jersey at his introductory press conference at the SAP Center on Tuesday JUL 26, 2022. (Sports Radio Service)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Today it became official, the San Jose Sharks have a new captain to steer the ship.

General manager Mike Greier introduced David Quinn as the team’s tenth head coach in franchise history at a press conference on Tuesday morning at SAP Center.

Quinn replaces Bob Boughner, who was let go along with his staff on July 1st, as the new bench boss in charge of a team that has missed the playoffs for three consecutive years.

“David has successfully coached at several different levels in his hockey career, including with Team USA on the international stage at the Olympics and leading the team at the World Championships to the Bronze Medal game. His experience in developing young players as a head coach at Boston University and at the NHL level over the last few seasons has proven to be effective,” Grier said.

Quinn, 55, most recently served as head coach for Team USA at both the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and 2022 World Championship. Quinn guided Team USA to a fourth-place finish at the World Championship and helped lead the youngest team in the Olympics to a perfect preliminary round record before suffering a shootout loss in the quarterfinals.

“My coaching philosophy has always been relationship driven,” said Quinn. “I don’t care what you do in life, if you don’t have a connection to the people that you’re leading, whether you’re the manager of an office or coaching a hockey team, you’re not going to get the most out of people. It’s been the foundation of my coaching philosophy.”

Quinn’s last and first head coaching stint in the NHL was from 2018-2021 when he coached the New York Rangers where he compiled a 97-87-25 record and led the team in the qualification round of the playoffs in the 2019-20 campaign.

Quinn’s relationship with Grier goes back a long way as both are former alums of Boston University. Quinn coached BU from 2013-18 before being hired by New York and went 105-69-21 under his direction.

“I think it’s just the cherry on top, trying to get more (Boston University) Terriers out west,” Grier joked about whether the BU connection had any factor in the hiring of Quinn. “It came down to that David (Quinn) was the best candidate for the job.”

Quinn said he hasn’t picked out who his assistant coaches will be, but he hopes to make that decision soon as well as get to know his players in the next coming days.

San Jose has overhauled its roster by bringing in new players such as Nico Sturm and Oscar Lindblom as well as traded star defenseman Brent Burns to the Carolina Hurricanes since Grier has been in charge of the team the past three weeks.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Marko Ukalovic: A look back on the life of Bryan Marchment

The San Jose Sharks tribute to the late and former Sharks scout Bryan Marchment regarding his passing on Wed Jul 6, 2022 (@SanJoseSharks image)

On the Sharks podcast with Marko:

Former San Jose Sharks defenceman Bryan Marchment whose death on Wednesday shocked and stunned thousands of his fans, friends, media and the NHL. His cause of passing was not disclosed and he was 53.

Marchment was working as a San Jose Sharks scout on the NHL draft which started today in Montreal. Newly hired Sharks general manager Mike Grier said, “It’s sad day for our organization” Grier also shared a memory of the time that Marchment and he when they were with the Edmonton Oilers “If I ever needed anything, whether it was a home cooke dinner instead of eating out everyday, he and his wife (Kim) would have me over. So it’s a very difficult day.”

Marko shares his thoughts on the passing of Bryan Marchment on this special edition of the San Jose Sharks podcast. Marko is also a beat writer for the San Jose Barracuda the Sharks AHL affiliate and podcasts them on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks report by Mary Walsh: Sharks Hire Mike Grier as GM

San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier addresses the news media at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue, Jul 5, 2022 (photo from nhl.com)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks announced on Tuesday that they have hired Mike Grier as the team’s fifth General Manager. Grier has the distinction of being the first African American to serve as a general manager in the NHL. Last season, he was a hockey operations advisor for the New York Rangers. His playing career spanned 1,060 games with the Oilers, the Capitals, the Sabres and the Sharks. He was an assistant coach at  St. Sebastian’s Prep School in Massachusetts, a scout with the Chicago Blackhawks, an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, and a member of USA Hockey’s selection committee.

Grier has a lot to do before the start of the season. In two days, the Sharks will be at the NHL Draft. The Sharks also need a new coaching staff. The Sharks have missed the playoffs for three seasons in a row. Asked what his priorities were for improving the team, Grier said:

“I think we can improve in every facet, to be honest with you. There are some pieces on the roster that we like, that we would like to build around. But I think, overall, there’s not one spot in particular that I think needs work. The draft is No. 1, then we’ve got free agency coming up. We’ll have to dig into that, and Joe and I have already started on that a bit. Then development camp and a coach.”

While Grier did not have specific details to present on the draft or the coaching search, he did talk in detail about his goals for the team culture:

“To me it’s about people… Surrounding yourself with the right people, people who are passionate about their job, who love their job and are selfless, team-first people. That’s what culture means to me and as a general manager it’s for me to find those types of players on the ice and also surround myself with those type of hockey people in our hockey operations department.”

Sharks owner, Hasso Plattner, said in a press release: “Mike’s successful career on the ice speaks for itself, but what impressed me the most were his leadership qualities and his overwhelming desire to win. Mike is aware of the high standards of success that are expected in San Jose and is committed to help us quickly return to that level.”

Grier comes from a family of professional sports executives. His father, Bobby, worked in scouting, player personnel and as an advisor to the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans of the NFL. Grier’s brother, Chris, is the general manager of the Miami Dolphins. Grier described how his father prepared them for their future in the sports business:

“I think the main thing my father instilled in us was his work ethic. The time he put in, he’d often be off to work before we left for school. Sometimes he wouldn’t get home until after dinner or when we were ready to get in bed. So, just the time and effort it took, and his belief that you treat people the right way. If you want to have a winning franchise, it starts with how you treat people. His ability to never leave a stone unturned. Like he would stay up to all hours or go scout wherever it took, whatever he had to do to get the job done.”

Mary Lisa is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Mike Grier first black general manager in NHL history; Grier will start looking for a head coach

From left to right San Jose Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will, general manager Mike Grier, and team president Jonathan Becher meets with the media on Tue Jul 5, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (photo from CNN News)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast:

#1 The San Jose Sharks hired the NHL’s first black general coach Mike Grier, Grier makes history and Grier has been around the game as a player, coach, scout and executive.

#2 The Sharks say he will have overall authority regarding all aspects of hockey operations

#3 In his 14 years in the NHL and 1,000 games Grier played three years with the Sharks. He also was the team’s alternate captain during his time with the Sharks.

#4 In the three years with the Sharks Grier scored 78 points, 35 goals, and 43 assists proving his offensive prowess and ability.

#5 Grier said he will work hard to build up the club that has not made the playoffs in three years. Grier said he remembers Sharks fans for their passion and support of the team making SAP Center one of the most difficult buildings to play in.

Marko Ukalovic is a beat writer for the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda at http://www.sportsradioservice.com