1991–92 San Jose Sharks season

National Hockey League team season March 2026 August 2023 NHL 1991–92 1991 San Jose Sharks Campbell 11th Smythe 6th 17–58–5 14–23–3 3–35–2 219 359 Jack Ferreira George Kingston Doug Wilson Kelly KisioNeil Wilkinson Cow Palace 10,888 Kansas City Blades Pat Falloon (25) Pat Falloon (34) Pat Falloon (59) Link Gaetz (326) J. F. Quintin (+2) Jeff Hackett (11) Jeff 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.Cameron Steve Feeding Frenzy! The Wild New World of the San Jose Sharks 29–38 1994 Taylor Publishing Co. 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." Tom Gilmore Sharks Are Coming -- NHL Team Named http://web.lexis-nexis.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/universe/document?_m=fccc7f884e0eea47adea8b44bf909307&_docnum=3&wchp=dGLzVzz-zSkVA&_md5=4f5b19352645ced32382b044849609ed The San Francisco Chronicle The Chronicle Publishing Co. D1 September 7, 1990 2007-04-21 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).https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_1992.html 1991-92 NHL Summary - Hockey-Reference.com hockey-reference.com January 10, 2017 Season standings SAN SJS Schedule and results background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 5px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 5px solid; 1991–92 regular season1991-92 San Jose Sharks Schedule https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/SJS/1992_games.html Hockey-Reference.com March 19, 2025 y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; October: 1–13–0 (home: 1–4–0; road: 0–9–0) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; November: 4–7–2 (home: 3–3–1; road: 1–4–1) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; December: 3–8–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 0–5–0) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; January: 3–8–1 (home: 2–4–0; road: 1–4–1) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; February: 3–8–1 (home: 3–3–1; road: 0–5–0) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; March: 3–11–0 (home: 2–4–0; road: 1–7–0) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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 |- y background:#fff; border-top:#00677F 2px solid; border-bottom:#A2AAAD 2px solid; April: 0–3–0 (home: 0–2–0; road: 0–1–0) Game Date Opponent Score OT Arena Record Points |- | 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: #cfc Win (2 points) 1px solid black #fcc Loss (0 points) 1px solid black #ffc Tie (1 point) 1px solid black 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 Arturs Irbe 13 645 2 6 3 0 4.47 Jarmo Myllys 27 1374 3 18 1 0 5.02 Transactions Trades May 30, 1991To Quebec Nordiques Greg PaslawskiTo San Jose Sharks Tony Hrkac May 30, 1991To New York Rangers Tim KerrTo San Jose Sharks Brian Mullen Future Considerations May 31, 1991To Minnesota North Stars Sharks agreed not to select Mike Craig in dispersal draftTo San Jose Sharks 2nd-round pick in 1991 1st-round pick in 1992 June 3, 1991To Minnesota North Stars Shane ChurlaTo San Jose Sharks Kelly Kisio September 6, 1991To Chicago Blackhawks Kerry Toporowski 2nd-round pick in 1992To San Jose Sharks Doug Wilson September 20, 1991To Chicago Blackhawks 3rd-round pick in 1993To San Jose Sharks Wayne Presley October 2, 1991To Hartford Whalers Dan KeczmerTo San Jose Sharks Dean Evason October 18, 1991To Hartford Whalers Mike McHughTo San Jose Sharks Paul Fenton February 7, 1992To Chicago Blackhawks Tony HrkacTo San Jose Sharks conditional pick in 1993 March 7, 1992To Quebec Nordiques Murray GarbuttTo San Jose Sharks Don Barber March 9, 1992To Vancouver Canucks Ken HammondTo San Jose Sharks 8th-round pick in 1992 March 9, 1992To Detroit Red Wings Bob McGill 8th-round pick in 1992To San Jose Sharks Johan Garpenlov March 9, 1992To Buffalo Sabres Wayne PresleyTo 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 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 1 Jeff McLean Center University of North Dakota (WCHA) 1 7 Mark Beaufait Center 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 https://web.archive.org/web/20221203082002/https://cms.nhl.bamgrid.com/images/assets/binary/327051430/binary-file/file.pdf December 3, 2022 Sharks on Hockey Database The Internet Hockey Database Category:San Jose Sharks seasons San Jose Sharks season, 1991-92 San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks Category:1990s in San Jose, California