Doug Wilson Jr., the San Jose Sharks’ former director of scouting, has joined the Seattle Kraken as an amateur scout.
Wilson was with the Sharks for 10 seasons, including the last four as the team’s scouting director as he helped draft such prospects as William Eklund, Thomas Bordeleau, and Ryan Merkley.
Wilson and the Sharks parted ways in July shortly after the NHL Draft, though, as new general manager Mike Grier wanted to put his stamp on the team’s scouting department.
The Sharks recently hired Chris Morehouse, formerly of the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets, as the director of amateur scouting and Scott Fitzgerald as the director of player personnel.
Fitzgerald, according to the Sharks, will focus on pro and amateur scouting, including potential top-two round selections at the draft, and NCAA free agents. Fitzgerald previously was previously with the Boston Bruins for 16 seasons.
Stephanie LeBlanc also joined the Sharks as the director of CHL scouting.
Wilson’s father, Doug Wilson, was the Sharks’ general manager for 19 seasons before he stepped down in April for health reasons.
On Oct. 15, Wilson, the Sharks’ first captain, will be honored in a special ceremony prior to the team’s game with the Chicago Blackhawks. As part of the ceremony, a banner will be unveiled at SAP Center, detailing Wilson’s significant contributions to the team as a player and executive.
NEW ECHL AFFILIATE: The Sharks have entered into an affiliation agreement with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder for the 2022-23 season. It’s the first time since 2018 that the Sharks will have an affiliate in the league, which is one notch below the AHL.
“Having a solid affiliation in the ECHL is important to our player development plan and the ECHL has a solid track record with preparing prospects for their NHL and AHL careers,” said Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will, who is also the GM of the Barracuda, in a statement.
The Thunder were previously affiliated with the Edmonton Oilers (2017-2022) and Ottawa Senators (2016-17).
The Sharks were most recently affiliated with Allen (Tex.) of the ECHL from 2014 to 2018. Since then, the Sharks had sent certain players on AHL contracts to the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears.
