1991–92 San Jose Sharks season
| 1991–92 San Jose Sharks | |
|---|---|
| Division | 6th Smythe |
| Conference | 11th Campbell |
| 1991–92 record | 17–58–5 |
| Home record | 14–23–3 |
| Road record | 3–35–2 |
| Goals for | 219 |
| Goals against | 359 |
| Team information | |
| General Manager | Jack Ferreira |
| Coach | George Kingston |
| Captain | Doug Wilson |
| Alternate captains | Kelly Kisio |
| Arena | Cow Palace |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Pat Falloon (25) |
| Assists | Pat Falloon (34) |
| Points | Pat Falloon (59) |
| Penalties in minutes | Link Gaetz (326) |
| Wins | Jeff Hackett (11) |
| Goals against average | 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 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. 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."
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