1991–92 San Jose Sharks season

The 1991–92 San Jose Sharks season was the Sharks' inaugural season. They finished 6th in the Smythe Division and did not qualify for the playoffs.
==Off-season==
===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 San Francisco 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. 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 San Francisco 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."
===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.
==Regular Season==
The Sharks' inaugural season was one of the worst all-time in NHL history with only 17 wins. Goaltender Jeff Hackett was named team MVP.
===Final Standings===
===Game Log===
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
==Playoffs==
*The Sharks did not qualify for the post season.
==Player Stats==
===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
Jayson 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
Arturs Irbe 	13	645 	2 	6 	3	0 	4.47
Jarmo Myllys 	27	1374	3 	18	1	0 	5.02
==Awards and Records==
*The Sharks did not win any awards this season.
==Transactions==
===Trade Deadline Transactions===
Traded 	Acquired 	Acquired From
Murray Garbutt 	Don Barber 	Quebec Nordiques
Wayne Presley 	Dave Snuggerud 	Buffalo Sabres
Ken Hammond 	1992 8th round draft pick (VAN)	Vancouver Canucks
Bob McGill, 1992 8th round draft pick (VAN)	Johan Garpenlöv 	Detroit Red Wings
==Draft Picks==
Round	# 	Player 	Position 	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team
1 	2 	Pat Falloon 	Right Wing	 	Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
2 	23 	Ray Whitney 	Left Wing 	 	Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
2 	30 	Sandis Ozolinsh 	Defense 	 	Dynamo Riga (Russia)
3 	45 	Dody Wood 	Left Wing 	 	Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
4 	67 	Kerry Toporowski	Defense 	 	Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
5 	89 	Dan Ryder 	Goalie 	 	Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
6 	111	Fredrik Nilsson 	Left Wing 	 	Vasteras IK (SEL)
7 	133	Jaroslav Otevrel	Left Wing 	 	Zlin ZPS AC (Czech)
8 	155	Dean Grillo 	Center 	 	Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
9 	177	Corwin Saurdiff 	Goalie 	 	Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
10 	199	Dale Craigwell 	Center 	 	Oshawa Generals (OHL)
11 	221	Aaron Kriss 	Defense 	 	UMass-Lowell (NCAA)
12 	243	Mikhail Kravets 	Right Wing	 	Leningrad SKA (Russia)
===NHL Supplemental Draft===
Round	#	Player 	Position	Nationality	College/Junior/Club Team
1 	7	Mark Beaufait	Center 	 	Northern Michigan University (NCAA)
===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.	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. 	Jayson 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==
* Sharks on Hockey Database
* The Internet Hockey Database
Category:San Jose Sharks seasons
San Jose Sharks season, 1991–92
San Jose Sharks season, 1991–92