1991–92 San Jose Sharks season

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
Average attendance10,888
Minor league affiliate(s)Kansas City Blades
Team leaders
GoalsPat Falloon (25)
AssistsPat Falloon (34)
PointsPat Falloon (59)
Penalty minutesLink Gaetz (326)
Plus/minusJ. F. Quintin (+2)
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.

The last remaining active member of the 1991–92 San Jose Sharks was Ray Whitney, who retired after the 2013–14 season.

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

Defenseman 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, 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 defense, 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

1991–92 game log: 17–58–5 (Home: 14–23–3 ; Road: 3–35–2)
October: 1–13–0 (Home: 1–4–0 ; Road: 0–9–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
1 October 4 @ Vancouver 3–4 Pacific Coliseum 0–1–0 0
2 October 5 Vancouver 2–5 Cow Palace 0–2–0 0
3 October 8 Calgary 4–3 Cow Palace 1–2–0 2
4 October 10 Winnipeg 4–5 Cow Palace 1–3–0 2
5 October 12 @ St. Louis 3–6 St. Louis Arena 1–4–0 2
6 October 13 @ Chicago 3–7 Chicago Stadium 1–5–0 2
7 October 16 @ Los Angeles 5–8 Great Western Forum 1–6–0 2
8 October 17 Minnesota 2–8 Cow Palace 1–7–0 2
9 October 19 Boston 1–4 Cow Palace 1–8–0 2
10 October 23 @ Hartford 0–3 Hartford Civic Center 1–9–0 2
11 October 25 @ Buffalo 1–3 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 1–10–0 2
12 October 26 @ New Jersey 0–9 Brendan Byrne Arena 1–11–0 2
13 October 29 @ NY Islanders 4–8 Nassau Coliseum 1–12–0 2
14 October 31 @ Philadelphia 2–5 Spectrum 1–13–0 2
November: 4–7–2 (Home: 3–3–1 ; Road: 1–4–1)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
15 November 2 @ Quebec 3–6 Colisée de Québec 1–14–0 2
16 November 4 @ Toronto 1–4 Maple Leaf Gardens 1–15–0 2
17 November 8 Edmonton 6–2 Cow Palace 2–15–0 4
18 November 9 NY Islanders 4–3 Cow Palace 3–15–0 6
19 November 12 Buffalo 1–7 Cow Palace 3–16–0 6
20 November 14 Detroit 3–3 OT Cow Palace 3–16–1 7
21 November 16 @ Vancouver 0–1 Pacific Coliseum 3–17–1 7
22 November 19 Los Angeles 2–3 OT Cow Palace 3–18–1 7
23 November 22 Toronto 1–3 Cow Palace 3–19–1 7
24 November 23 @ Los Angeles 4–6 Great Western Forum 3–20–1 7
25 November 26 Vancouver 4–1 Cow Palace 4–20–1 9
26 November 29 @ Edmonton 4–4 OT Northlands Coliseum 4–20–2 10
27 November 30 @ Calgary 2–1 Olympic Saddledome 5–20–2 12
December: 3–8–1 (Home: 3–3–1 ; Road: 0–5–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
28 December 3 Los Angeles 3–2 OT Cow Palace 6–20–2 14
29 December 5 Pittsburgh 0–8 Cow Palace 6–21–2 14
30 December 8 @ Edmonton 1–3 Northlands Coliseum 6–22–2 14
31 December 10 Winnipeg 3–3 OT Cow Palace 6–22–3 15
32 December 12 Edmonton 6–3 Cow Palace 7–22–3 17
33 December 14 Minnesota 2–3 Cow Palace 7–23–3 17
34 December 16 @ NY Rangers 3–4 OT Madison Square Garden 7–24–3 17
35 December 17 @ Pittsburgh 2–10 Civic Arena 7–25–3 17
36 December 19 @ St. Louis 0–4 St. Louis Arena 7–26–3 17
37 December 21 Quebec 4–1 Cow Palace 8–26–3 19
38 December 26 @ Los Angeles 3–5 Great Western Forum 8–27–3 19
39 December 28 Vancouver 2–3 Cow Palace 8–28–3 19
January: 3–8–1 (Home: 2–4–0 ; Road: 1–4–1)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
40 January 3 Philadelphia 3–1 Cow Palace 9–28–3 21
41 January 4 Montreal 0–1 OT Cow Palace 9–29–3 21
42 January 7 @ Vancouver 1–4 Pacific Coliseum 9–30–3 21
43 January 8 @ Calgary 3–10 Olympic Saddledome 9–31–3 21
44 January 11 @ Minnesota 4–7 Met Center 9–32–3 21
45 January 12 @ Winnipeg 4–3 Winnipeg Arena 10–32–3 23
46 January 14 @ Los Angeles 3–3 OT Great Western Forum 10–32–4 24
47 January 21 @ Edmonton 2–9 Northlands Coliseum 10–33–4 24
48 January 24 Calgary 2–3 Cow Palace 10–34–4 24
49 January 25 Edmonton 5–2 Cow Palace 11–34–4 26
50 January 28 NY Rangers 2–4 Cow Palace 11–35–4 26
51 January 30 St. Louis 2–4 Cow Palace 11–36–4 26
February: 3–8–1 (Home: 3–3–1 ; Road: 0–5–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
52 February 2 @ Winnipeg 0–6 Winnipeg Arena 11–37–4 26
53 February 4 Hartford 6–5 Cow Palace 12–37–4 28
54 February 5 Chicago 5–2 Cow Palace 13–37–4 30
55 February 9 @ Washington 2–6 Capital Centre 13–38–4 30
56 February 12 @ Montreal 1–6 Montreal Forum 13–39–4 30
57 February 14 @ Buffalo 6–7 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium 13–40–4 30
58 February 15 @ Detroit 1–11 Joe Louis Arena 13–41–4 30
59 February 18 Washington 2–4 Cow Palace 13–42–4 30
60 February 21 Vancouver 3–5 Cow Palace 13–43–4 30
61 February 23 Calgary 2–4 Cow Palace 13–44–4 30
62 February 26 Quebec 7–4 Cow Palace 14–44–4 32
63 February 28 Montreal 3–3 OT Cow Palace 14–44–5 33
March: 3–11–0 (Home: 2–4–0 ; Road: 1–7–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
64 March 1 Philadelphia 0–1 Cow Palace 14–45–5 33
65 March 4 Los Angeles 3–4 Cow Palace 14–46–5 33
66 March 6 Pittsburgh 3–7 Cow Palace 14–47–5 33
67 March 8 Toronto 4–1 Cow Palace 15–47–5 35
68 March 10 @ Chicago 1–5 Chicago Stadium 15–48–5 35
69 March 11 @ Winnipeg 0–3 Winnipeg Arena 15–49–5 35
70 March 14 New Jersey 3–2 Cow Palace 16–49–5 37
71 March 17 Detroit 4–5 Cow Palace 16–50–5 37
72 March 19 @ Calgary 1–3 Olympic Saddledome 16–51–5 37
73 March 21 @ Hartford 5–4 Hartford Civic Center 17–51–5 39
74 March 23 @ Boston 6–7 Boston Garden 17–52–5 39
75 March 24 @ New Jersey 3–4 Brendan Byrne Arena 17–53–5 39
76 March 26 @ NY Islanders 4–7 Nassau Coliseum 17–54–5 39
77 March 29 @ Winnipeg 5–6 Winnipeg Arena 17–55–5 39
April: 0–3–0 (Home: 0–2–0 ; Road 0–1–0)
# Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Pts
78 April 12 @ Edmonton 4–6 Northlands Coliseum 17–56–6 39
79 April 15 Calgary 3–4 Cow Palace 17–57–5 39
80 April 16 Winnipeg 3–5 Cow Palace 17–58–5 39

Legend:   Win (2 points)   Loss (0 points)   Tie (1 point)

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

Defensemen

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

Trades

May 30, 1991 To Quebec Nordiques
Greg Paslawski 		To San Jose Sharks
Tony Hrkac
May 30, 1991 To New York Rangers
Tim Kerr 		To San Jose Sharks
Brian Mullen
Future Considerations
May 31, 1991 To Minnesota North Stars
Sharks agreed not to select Mike Craig in dispersal draft 		To San Jose Sharks
2nd-round pick in 1991
1st-round pick in 1992
June 3, 1991 To Minnesota North Stars
Shane Churla 		To San Jose Sharks
Kelly Kisio
September 6, 1991 To Chicago Blackhawks
Kerry Toporowski
2nd-round pick in 1992 		To San Jose Sharks
Doug Wilson
September 20, 1991 To Chicago Blackhawks
3rd-round pick in 1993 		To San Jose Sharks
Wayne Presley
October 2, 1991 To Hartford Whalers
Dan Keczmer 		To San Jose Sharks
Dean Evason
October 18, 1991 To Hartford Whalers
Mike McHugh 		To San Jose Sharks
Paul Fenton
February 7, 1992 To Chicago Blackhawks
Tony Hrkac 		To San Jose Sharks
conditional pick in 1993
March 7, 1992 To Quebec Nordiques
Murray Garbutt 		To San Jose Sharks
Don Barber
March 9, 1992 To Vancouver Canucks
Ken Hammond 		To San Jose Sharks
8th-round pick in 1992
March 9, 1992 To Detroit Red Wings
Bob McGill
8th-round pick in 1992 		To San Jose Sharks
Johan Garpenlov
March 9, 1992 To Buffalo Sabres
Wayne Presley 		To San Jose Sharks
Dave Snuggerud

Free agency

Date Player Previous team
July 8, 1991 Perry Anderson New Jersey Devils
August 9, 1991 Steve Bozek Vancouver Canucks
August 9, 1991 Ken Hammond Boston Bruins
August 9, 1991 Brian Lawton Phoenix Roadrunners (IHL)
August 9, 1991 Mark Pavelich
August 9, 1991 Mike Sullivan San Diego Gulls (IHL)
August 9, 1991 David Williams Knoxville Cherokees (ECHL)
August 22, 1991 John Carter Boston Bruins
August 30, 1991 Larry DePalma Minnesota North Stars
September 3, 1991 Mike Colman Kansas City Blades (IHL)
September 3, 1991 Wade Flaherty Kansas City Blades (IHL)
September 3, 1991 Jeff Odgers Kansas City Blades (IHL)
September 3, 1991 Claudio Scremin Kansas City Blades (IHL)
October 10, 1991 Perry Berezan Minnesota North Stars


Date Player New team
October 8, 1991 Mark Pavelich

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  Soviet Union 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. J. F. Quintin (LW)
15. Scott Cashman (G)
16. Murray Garbutt (C)
17. Rob Gaudreau (RW)
18. Arturs 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

References

  • 2021–22 San Jose Sharks Media Guide
  • Sharks on Hockey Database
  • The Internet Hockey Database
  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 April 21, 2007.
  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.
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