One day after announcing longtime captain Patrick Marleau will have his number retired, the San Jose Sharks have added another banner set to be raised this upcoming season — this time honouring franchise icon Doug Wilson.
Wilson, the Sharks' general manager for 19 seasons, took a temporary medical leave from his day-to-day activities early last season before officially stepping down in April.
The Sharks will raise a banner "detailing Wilson's significant contributions to the team as a player and executive" during a "special recognition night" for Wilson on Oct. 15, prior to a game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Marleau's special night is set for Feb. 25.
"Doug Wilson's imprint on this franchise is unmistakable - on and off the ice," said Sharks president Jonathan Becher in a press release.
"As the new expansion team's first captain in 1991, he set a standard and helped build a foundation that would allow the team to quickly morph into one of the League's most inspiring and successful teams.
"As general manager, he crafted and fostered the most successful era of Sharks hockey the franchise has seen, drafting a blueprint which allowed the Sharks to be in the upper echelon of NHL teams for victories and appearances in the Stanley Cup playoffs."
The Ottawa native earned induction to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020 as a player after producing 827 points in 1,024 games. He played the first 14 seasons of his career with the Blackhawks, before joining the Sharks prior to their inaugural season and serving as the franchise's first captain.
After two seasons playing in San Jose, Wilson announced his retirement in 1993. He later re-joined the organization as GM in 2003.
During his time in charge, the Sharks won one Presidents' Trophy (2009), appeared once in the Stanley Cup Final (2016) and made the playoffs 14 times.
"Doug's legacy in San Jose is forever solidified and this recognition will ensure that future generations of Sharks fans will learn about his contributions to Sharks hockey," added Becher.
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