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1991–92 San Jose Sharks season

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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)

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.

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 is acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks. He's 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
Vancouver Canucks 80 42 26 12 285 250 96
Los Angeles Kings 80 35 31 14 287 250 84
Edmonton Oilers 80 36 34 10 295 297 82
Winnipeg Jets 80 33 32 15 251 244 81
Calgary Flames 80 31 37 12 296 305 74
San Jose Sharks 80 17 58 5 219 359 39
Campbell Conference[5]
R Div GP W L T GF GA Pts
1 Detroit Red Wings NRS 80 43 25 12 320 256 98
2 Vancouver Canucks SMY 80 42 26 12 285 250 96
3 Chicago Blackhawks NRS 80 36 29 15 257 236 87
4 Los Angeles Kings SMY 80 35 31 14 287 296 84
5 St. Louis Blues NRS 80 36 33 11 279 266 83
6 Edmonton Oilers SMY 80 36 34 10 295 297 82
7 Winnipeg Jets SMY 80 33 32 15 251 244 81
8 Calgary Flames SMY 80 31 37 12 296 305 74
9 Minnesota North Stars NRS 80 32 42 6 246 278 70
10 Toronto Maple Leafs NRS 80 30 43 7 234 294 67
11 San Jose Sharks SMY 80 17 58 5 219 359 39

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


Schedule and results

No. R Date Score Opponent Record
1 L October 4, 1991 3–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 0–1–0
2 L October 5, 1991 2–5 Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 0–2–0
3 W October 8, 1991 4–3 Calgary Flames (1991–92) 1–2–0
4 L October 10, 1991 4–5 Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 1–3–0
5 L October 12, 1991 3–6 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 1–4–0
6 L October 13, 1991 3–7 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1991–92) 1–5–0
7 L October 16, 1991 5–8 @ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 1–6–0
8 L October 17, 1991 2–8 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 1–7–0
9 L October 19, 1991 1–4 Boston Bruins (1991–92) 1–8–0
10 L October 23, 1991 0–3 @ Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 1–9–0
11 L October 25, 1991 1–3 @ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 1–10–0
12 L October 26, 1991 0–9 @ New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 1–11–0
13 L October 29, 1991 4–8 @ New York Islanders (1991–92) 1–12–0
14 L October 31, 1991 2–5 @ Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 1–13–0
15 L November 2, 1991 3–6 @ Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 1–14–0
16 L November 4, 1991 1–4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 1–15–0
17 W November 8, 1991 6–2 Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 2–15–0
18 W November 9, 1991 4–3 New York Islanders (1991–92) 3–15–0
19 L November 12, 1991 1–7 Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 3–16–0
20 T November 14, 1991 3–3 OT Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 3–16–1
21 L November 16, 1991 0–1 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 3–17–1
22 L November 19, 1991 2–3 OT Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 3–18–1
23 L November 22, 1991 1–3 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 3–19–1
24 L November 23, 1991 4–6 @ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 3–20–1
25 W November 26, 1991 4–1 Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 4–20–1
26 T November 29, 1991 4–4 OT @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 4–20–2
27 W November 30, 1991 2–1 @ Calgary Flames (1991–92) 5–20–2
28 W December 3, 1991 3–2 OT Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 6–20–2
29 L December 5, 1991 0–8 Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 6–21–2
30 L December 8, 1991 1–3 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 6–22–2
31 T December 10, 1991 3–3 OT Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 6–22–3
32 W December 12, 1991 6–3 Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 7–22–3
33 L December 14, 1991 2–3 Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 7–23–3
34 L December 16, 1991 3–4 OT @ New York Rangers (1991–92) 7–24–3
35 L December 17, 1991 2–10 @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 7–25–3
36 L December 19, 1991 0–4 @ St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 7–26–3
37 W December 21, 1991 4–1 Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 8–26–3
38 L December 26, 1991 3–5 @ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 8–27–3
39 L December 28, 1991 2–3 Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 8–28–3
40 W January 3, 1992 3–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 9–28–3
41 L January 4, 1992 0–1 OT Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 9–29–3
42 L January 7, 1992 1–4 @ Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 9–30–3
43 L January 8, 1992 3–10 @ Calgary Flames (1991–92) 9–31–3
44 L January 11, 1992 4–7 @ Minnesota North Stars (1991–92) 9–32–3
45 W January 12, 1992 4–3 @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 10–32–3
46 T January 14, 1992 3–3 OT @ Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 10–32–4
47 L January 21, 1992 2–9 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 10–33–4
48 L January 24, 1992 2–3 Calgary Flames (1991–92) 10–34–4
49 W January 25, 1992 5–2 Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 11–34–4
50 L January 28, 1992 2–4 New York Rangers (1991–92) 11–35–4
51 L January 30, 1992 2–4 St. Louis Blues (1991–92) 11–36–4
52 L February 2, 1992 0–6 @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 11–37–4
53 W February 4, 1992 6–5 Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 12–37–4
54 W February 5, 1992 5–2 Chicago Blackhawks (1991–92) 13–37–4
55 L February 9, 1992 2–6 @ Washington Capitals (1991–92) 13–38–4
56 L February 12, 1992 1–6 @ Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 13–39–4
57 L February 14, 1992 6–7 @ Buffalo Sabres (1991–92) 13–40–4
58 L February 15, 1992 1–11 @ Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 13–41–4
59 L February 18, 1992 2–4 Washington Capitals (1991–92) 13–42–4
60 L February 21, 1992 3–5 Vancouver Canucks (1991–92) 13–43–4
61 L February 23, 1992 2–4 Calgary Flames (1991–92) 13–44–4
62 W February 26, 1992 7–4 Quebec Nordiques (1991–92) 14–44–4
63 T February 28, 1992 3–3 OT Montreal Canadiens (1991–92) 14–44–5
64 L March 1, 1992 0–1 Philadelphia Flyers (1991–92) 14–45–5
65 L March 4, 1992 3–4 Los Angeles Kings (1991–92) 14–46–5
66 L March 6, 1992 3–7 Pittsburgh Penguins (1991–92) 14–47–5
67 W March 8, 1992 4–1 Toronto Maple Leafs (1991–92) 15–47–5
68 L March 10, 1992 1–5 @ Chicago Blackhawks (1991–92) 15–48–5
69 L March 11, 1992 0–3 @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 15–49–5
70 W March 14, 1992 3–2 New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 16–49–5
71 L March 17, 1992 4–5 Detroit Red Wings (1991–92) 16–50–5
72 L March 19, 1992 1–3 @ Calgary Flames (1991–92) 16–51–5
73 W March 21, 1992 5–4 @ Hartford Whalers (1991–92) 17–51–5
74 L March 23, 1992 6–7 @ Boston Bruins (1991–92) 17–52–5
75 L March 24, 1992 3–4 @ New Jersey Devils (1991–92) 17–53–5
76 L March 26, 1992 4–7 @ New York Islanders (1991–92) 17–54–5
77 L March 29, 1992 5–6 @ Winnipeg Jets (1991–92) 17–55–5
78 L April 12, 1992 4–6 @ Edmonton Oilers (1991–92) 17–56–5
79 L April 15, 1992 3–4 Calgary Flames (1991–92) 17–57–5
80 L April 16, 1992 3–5 Winnipeg 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 Falloon 79 25 34 59 16
Brian Mullen 72 18 28 46 66
David Bruce 60 22 16 38 46
Brian Lawton 59 15 22 37 42
Kelly Kisio 48 11 26 37 54
Dean Evason 74 11 15 26 99
Wayne Presley 47 8 14 22 76
Perry Berezan 66 12 7 19 30
Mike Sullivan 64 8 11 19 15
Steve Bozek 58 8 8 16 27
Dale Craigwell 32 5 11 16 8
Pat MacLeod 37 5 11 16 4
Paul Fenton 60 11 4 15 33
Ken Hammond 46 5 10 15 82
Perry Anderson 48 4 8 12 143
Tony Hrkac 22 2 10 12 4
Jeff Odgers 61 7 4 11 217
Johan Garpenlov 12 5 6 11 4
Don Barber 12 1 3 4 2
J.F. Quintin 8 3 0 3 0
Ray Whitney 2 0 3 3 0
Craig Coxe 10 2 0 2 19
Mike McHugh 8 1 0 1 14
Mark Pavelich 2 0 1 1 4
Kevin Evans 5 0 1 1 25
Dave Snuggerud 11 0 1 1 4
Mikhail Kravets 1 0 0 0 0
Peter Lappin 1 0 0 0 0
John Carter 4 0 0 0 0
Ed Courtenay 4 0 0 0 0

Defencemen

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

Player GP G AST PTS PIM
Doug Wilson 44 9 19 28 26
David Williams 56 3 25 28 40
Neil Wilkinson 60 4 15 19 107
Jay More 46 4 13 17 85
Link Gaetz 48 6 6 12 326
Rob Zettler 74 1 8 9 99
Bob McGill 62 3 1 4 70
Rick Lessard 8 0 2 2 16
Mike Colman 15 0 1 1 32
Claudio Scremin 13 0 0 0 25

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 Flaherty 3 645 0 3 0 0 4.38
Jeff Hackett 42 2314 11 27 1 0 3.84
Brian Hayward 7 305 1 4 0 0 4.92
Artūrs Irbe 13 645 2 6 3 0 4.47
Jarmo Myllys 27 1374 3 18 1 0 5.02

Transactions

All Season Transactions

Date Traded Acquired Acquired From
May 30 Greg Paslawski Tony Hrkac Quebec Nordiques
May 30 Tim Kerr Brian Mullen New York Rangers
June 3 Shane Churla Kelly Kisio Minnesota North Stars
Sept 6 Kerry Toporowski, 1992 2nd rd. pick Doug Wilson Chicago Blackhawks
Sept 20 1993 3rd rd. pick Wayne Presley Chicago Blackhawks
Oct 2 Dan Keczmer Dean Evason Hartford Whalers
Oct 18 Mike McHugh Paul Fenton Hartford Whalers
Feb 7 Tony Hrkac 1993 conditional pick Chicago Blackhawks
March 7 Murray Garbutt Don Barber Quebec Nordiques
March 9 Ken Hammond 1992 8th rd. pick Vancouver Canucks
March 9 Bob McGill, 1992 8th rd. pick Johan Garpenlöv Detroit Red Wings
March 9 Wayne Presley Dave Snuggerud Buffalo 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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