The 1991–92 NHL season marked a significant moment for hockey in the San Francisco Bay Area with the introduction of the expansion San Jose Sharks. This new franchise brought National Hockey League (NHL)
hockey back to the region after a 15-year absence, filling a void left when the California Golden Seals relocated to Cleveland in 1976. The Sharks' inaugural season was part of a larger league expansion that saw the NHL grow to 22 teams, reflecting a period of growth and change for professional hockey in North America. Their establishment was the culmination of complex negotiations and a desire to re-establish a presence in a key market.
From Golden Seals to San Jose Sharks: A Franchise's Journey
The roots of the San Jose Sharks can be traced back to the Minnesota North Stars and their owners, George and Gordon Gund. The Gund brothers had a history with Bay Area hockey, having previously owned the California Golden Seals/Cleveland Barons franchise before it merged with the North Stars. By 1990, facing declining attendance for the North Stars, the Gunds sought permission from the NHL to move the team to the San Francisco Bay Area. However, the league opted for a different solution: granting the Gunds a new expansion team in the Bay Area, while the Gunds sold their share of the North Stars to a group led by former Hartford Whalers owner Howard Baldwin.
This compromise was crucial for bringing hockey back to the region. The Baldwin group was simultaneously advocating for an NHL team in San Jose, where a new arena was under construction. The agreement allowed the Gunds to establish the San Jose Sharks, beginning play in the 1991–92 season, and ensured that the North Stars would participate as an equal partner in an expansion draft with the new Bay Area team. It's important to note that neither the Sharks nor the North Stars retained the history of the Seals/Barons franchise, marking the Sharks as a completely new entity.
Naming the New Franchise and Early Home
The process of naming the new San Jose team involved significant public input. Over 5,000 potential names were submitted by mail. While "Blades" was the top finisher, the Gunds expressed concerns about its negative connotations, such as associations with weapons. Consequently, they chose the runner-up name, "Sharks." This name was inspired by the substantial shark population in the Pacific Ocean, with seven different varieties living in the area. A specific region near the Bay Area is even known as the "red triangle" due to its shark population. The team's first marketing head, Matt Levine, articulated the vision behind the name, stating, "Sharks are relentless, determined, swift, agile, bright and fearless. We plan to build an organization that has all those qualities."
For their inaugural season, the San Jose Sharks played their home games at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California. This temporary arrangement saw the team establish its initial fan base and identity before moving to a more permanent home. The Cow Palace served as the Sharks' home ice for their first two seasons, providing a venue for the team's early struggles and the development of its first roster. The move to the SAP Center in San Jose would eventually occur in 1993, solidifying the team's presence in its namesake city.
The Inaugural Season: Challenges and Milestones
The 1991–92 season was, as expected for an expansion team, a challenging one for the San Jose Sharks. They finished in sixth place in the Smythe Division with a record of 17 wins, 58 losses, and 5 ties, accumulating 39 points. Goaltender Jeff Hackett was recognized as the team's MVP for the season. The Sharks played their first-ever game on October 4, 1991, against the Vancouver Canucks at Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, losing 4–3. Craig Coxe scored the first goal in team history during this game. The following night, October 5, the Sharks played their first home game at the Cow Palace, again losing to Vancouver, this time 5–2.
The team secured its first victory in its third game on October 8, defeating the Calgary Flames 4–3, with Kelly Kisio scoring the game-winning goal. Goaltender Brian Hayward made 36 saves in that historic win. Despite this early success, the Sharks then endured a 13-game losing streak, falling to a 1–15–0 record before achieving back-to-back wins against the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders. Their first tie came against the Detroit Red Wings on November 14, a 3–3 draw. The Sharks also earned their first road point on November 29, tying the Edmonton Oilers 4–4, and their first road victory the next night, a 2–1 win over the Calgary Flames. The season was marked by significant defensive struggles, with the team allowing 10 or more goals three times, including a club-record 11 goals against the Detroit Red Wings. Offensively, rookie Pat Falloon led the team with 25 goals and 59 points, while Doug Wilson, the team's first captain, led the defense with 9 goals and 28 points in an injury-shortened season. The Sharks finished 22nd in both scoring and goaltending, highlighting the difficulties faced by a new franchise in its initial year. The last active member of this inaugural team, Ray Whitney, retired after the 2013–14 season.
