Wilson Set to Reach Historic NHL Milestone on Jan. 26

SAN JOSE - San Jose Sharks (
@SanJoseSharks
) General Manager Doug Wilson is scheduled to reach a unique and historic NHL milestone on Jan. 26 when the Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers at SAP Center. That date will mark the 1,000th game of his tenure as the Sharks general manager.
Wilson will become only the fourth individual in National Hockey League history to serve as general manager of an NHL team for 1,000 games and appear in at least 1,000 games as an NHL player. The only others to accomplish the feat are Hockey Hall of Famers Bobby Clarke, Bob Gainey and Bob Pulford.
"Doug Wilson's 40 years in the NHL serve as a model of consistency, loyalty and excellence," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "He has served the Sharks for nearly all of their 26 NHL seasons, providing the continuity and credibility that are the trademarks of outstanding organizations, after 14 seasons as a mainstay on the Chicago Blackhawks' blue line. On the ice, and in the front office, Doug has represented his teams, the League and the game with so much class, and I am honored to congratulate him on joining the small group that has both played and managed 1,000 NHL games."

In Wilson's tenure as general manager of the Sharks over the past 12+ seasons, no National Hockey League team has appeared in more Stanley Cup Playoff rounds than San Jose (24; tied with the Detroit Red Wings).
Entering play this season, the Sharks rank second in the NHL in regular season points (1,204 points, 544-290-116 record) and are second in wins among all NHL teams since Wilson took over in 2003. During that span, (not including the 2012-13 lockout shortened season) the team averaged 104 points per season and posted four 50-win seasons. San Jose's 13, 40-plus win seasons since 2000-01 are tied with Detroit for the most seasons with 40 or more wins in that span.
In 2016-17, the Sharks have posted a 29-16-2 record, placing them in second place in the Pacific Division and first in the division with a .640 points percentage through 47 games.
Named the Sharks general manager on May 13, 2003, Wilson has guided the franchise to its most successful era, capturing a Presidents'Trophy (2009), five Pacific Division titles, advancing to the Western Conference Final on four occasions (2004, 2010, 2011, 2016) and appearing in the Stanley Cup Final (2016).
As an NHL player, Wilson's statistics speak for themselves.
A first round draft choice (6th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in 1977, he played in 1,024 NHL games over 16 seasons with Chicago and San Jose, posting 827 points (237 goals, 590 assists), which ranks 15th among defensemen on the NHL's all-time scoring list. His 237 goals rank him 12th all-time amongst all NHL defensemen and his 0.81 points-per-game amongst NHL defenseman who played at least 650 NHL games ranks 8th all-time.
In 1982, he was the winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy, symbolic of the League's top defenseman, when he tallied 85 points. His 39 goals that season are the fourth-most ever scored by an NHL defenseman.
He was selected to eight NHL All-Star Games (seven with Chicago and one with San Jose) and while with Chicago, Wilson was named as an NHL First Team All-Star in 1982 and twice was named as an NHL Second Team All-Star (1985 and 1990).
In addition, he played in 95 career playoff games with Chicago and scored 80 points (19 goals, 61 assists).
Wilson has been inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.
Wilson's rare accomplishment is scheduled to be recognized during the Sharks Jan. 31 game against the Chicago Blackhawks.