The reshuffle of the San Jose Sharks under new general manager Mike Grier continued today, with the team announcing five hires for its hockey operations department. The contracts are as follows:
- Scott Fitzgerald as Director of Player Personnel
- Tom Holy as Assistant General Manager
- Todd Marchant as Director of Player Development, Senior Advisor
- Chris Morehouse as Director of Amateur Scouting (connection to San Jose first reported by Athletic’s Corey Masisiak)
- Ryan Stewart as part of the professional staff department and as a senior advisor
Grier previously announced other changes to his hockey operations department, including the hiring from former New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight to a senior job, as well as a Rotation of the team’s coaching staff, with a new bank manager at David Quinn.
Fitzerald, the new chief of player personnel, is tasked with focusing on “professional and amateur scouting, including potential first-round picks in the NHL Draft and college free agents,” according to the team’s announcement. Fitzgerald previously served in various roles as a scout for the Boston Bruins, most recently as their Director of Collegiate Scouting. The Bruins have been active in the college free-agent market under Fitzgerald’s close watch, perhaps indicating that targeting NCAA free agents will be a strategy under Grier.
Holy, now an assistant general manager, was previously a well-respected media and public relations manager for the Dallas Stars, Sharks and Cleveland Barons. According to the team, Holy will “oversee the analytics department, staff budget and contracts,” in addition to overseeing various business-related responsibilities.
Marchant becomes the team’s new head of player development, an increasingly important role in a league full of teams obsessed with improving their selection and development process. The team says Marchant “will oversee the player development department,” as he has in the Anaheim Ducks organization since 2011-12. Under Marchant’s watch, the Ducks have been among the best teams in the NHL in terms of bringing young talent to the NHL, especially with defenders. The Sharks are eager to introduce more young talent to their lineup and that will be Marchant’s primary responsibility going forward, a responsibility he is well versed in.
Morehouse, the team’s new amateur scouting chief, acted in the role of Director of Scouting for the New York Rangers. Before his time in New York, Morehouse was the head amateur scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Like any scouting director, Morehouse’s draft resume has its fair share of hits and misses. What sets Morehouse apart, however, is his six years of experience running an exploration department despite the fact that he is now only 35 years old.
Ultimately, Stewart joins the organization as a senior advisor and part of its professional staff department. Stewart joins the Sharks after being relieved of his duties as assistant general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks in March. Stewart was with the Blackhawks for more than a decade, rising from the position of video coach to assistant general manager. Stewart brings a wealth of experience to his new role and three Stanley Cup rings.
Altogether, these hires represent a total makeover of the Sharks’ hockey operations department. After the long and fruitful tenure of former general manager Doug Wilson, who won just about everything except a Stanley Cup, the Sharks have gotten a bit lost, missing the playoffs for several years. It is a thought that just a few years ago would have been unthinkable. Grier has targeted experienced individuals for these positions, all with extensive resumes.
The biggest responsibility for transforming the Sharks rests with their players, of course, but with these signings, Grier is attempting to build a hockey operations department that can better support and complement the efforts of the Sharks players.