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For the new San Jose Sharks, September 6, 1991 was certainly a day to remember. As they held their very first team practice, a trade went through that would bring them their first captain, defenseman Doug Wilson.

The Sharks franchise was born out of a compromise between the former owners of the California Golden Seals (who had left the area 15 years earlier), the Minnesota North Stars (where they held shares), and the former Hartford Whalers owner. The deal became official on May 5, 1990. About a year later, the new Sharks selected young prospects from the expansion draft followed by having a 2nd overall pick at the entry draft. Kerry “Topper” Toporowski was their fourth-round (67th overall) draft pick.

Making what turned out to be a very beneficial deal, the Sharks traded 20-year-old Toporowski (and a draft pick) to the Chicago Blackhawks for 34-year-old Wilson. Drafted 6th overall in 1977, Wilson had played his entire 14-year career in Chicago and remained one of the final six players not to wear a helmet. He received the Norris Trophy as best defenseman in 1982 and was a finalist for the award in 1990. Wilson still holds Chicago records among defensemen in goals (225), assists (554), and points (779).

Despite his long tenure, Wilson’s performance declined as tensions with the new GM and coach, Mike Keenan, rose. Wilson noted, “The relationship I had with Mike Keenan I don’t think was conducive for me being happy or playing good hockey.” The Chicago Tribune highlighted Keenan’s spitefulness by telling how Keenan moved Wilson from the first row to the second for the team photo the previous season. During playoffs, with a lacerated jaw, Wilson paid his own way to Minnesota for Game 6, but not only did Keenan refuse to put him on the ice, he told everyone Wilson said he wouldn’t play. Wilson felt wronged. “I told Mike how I felt about our relationship. I don’t think things should be handled that way.” Upon the trade, he joked, “The Sharks must want me because they’re paying for my plane fare.”

Keenan responded to Wilson’s comments all the way from Montreal, where he was busy coaching Team Canada. He gave his reasons for trading Denis Savard back in June 1990 and then Wilson. “They didn’t win. I feel I was loyal and patient with them. Our objective is to win, and it wasn’t happening with this organization when I arrived. All this Wilson talk is a smokescreen to hide the fact we would have had to make the move regardless. The issue of our relationship is a distraction from what had to be done. He didn’t win here and Denis didn’t win here and you have to accept the realities of the game.”

Although Wilson had another year of his no-trade contract, he chose to accept the trade. “It would have been wrong to try and stick it out here. I’ve played hockey 30 years and to not go to the rink and enjoy it, have fun with it, I could never imagine that. I wasn’t enjoying it. You can’t play to expectations if it’s not fun.” He continued, I planned to finish my career (in Chicago) but things change.” With the trade, he looked forward to joining the Sharks. “I’ve got to be the happiest hockey player in Chicago. … There’s enough talent and good people in the dressing room. But there’s also ways of dealing with people, different coaching styles. … This isn’t really a sad moment for me and my family.”

How did both teams feel about the deal? Keenan seemed resigned, saying, “Even if I could have shopped him to other teams, we wouldn’t have gotten any more at his age. I’m pleased with the deal.” Whereas the Sharks GM, Jack Ferreira, was enthused. “We’re talking about one of the top 10 defensemen in the league. We may have mortgaged a little of the future for now, but any time you can get a player of Doug Wilson’s quality you do it.” Coach George Kingston (a first-time head coach) chimed in, “He’s going to be the quarterback of our power play.”

In fact, all the Sharks were pumped to start their inaugural season. They held their initial preseason practice, in three 45-minute sessions, at Cow Palace. An audience of 300 fans came to cheer on their new team. Defenseman Rob Zettler loved the response, commenting, “We got applause for just skating onto the ice. If we get that for a practice, I can’t wait to see what happens in the games.” Kingston told the press, “Tonight was just a chance to get out on the ice for the first time. It’s exhilarating because for the first time we’re out doing all the things we’ve been preparing for. It’s an exciting time.”

So how did the trade turn out? Chicago did not get much from their side. Toporowski spent his entire career in the minors before retiring in 2004. At the time of the trade, he was already known for having 505 penalty minutes, and he kept earning penalties and a reputation as an enforcer. After bouncing around for years, he became a fan favorite with the Quad City Mallards for six seasons. Chicago had passed along the second-round draft pick that came with Toporowski.  With it, the Winnipeg Jets selected Boris Mironov at the 1992 Entry Draft.

As for Wilson, he became San Jose’s first captain and their first player sent to the All-Star Game. At the time of the trade, Ferreira said, “When Doug came up he had older players help him out. Now he knows he’s in that role, and he kind of likes that idea.” The Sharks also made Wilson their first nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy (for leadership and humanitarian contributions). While celebrating having played his 1,000th NHL game, he established the Doug Wilson Scholarship Foundation to fund Bay Area college students. During training camp in 1993, Wilson announced his retirement. Ten years later, in 2003, he was named San Jose’s GM. Since then, they have only missed playoffs once and made it to the finals in 2016. That was the year Wilson was inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, having already become a member of the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and the Ottawa Sports Hall of Fame.

Additional Sources:
In her personal history, Kyle Hurst hated her toe picks and wanted to skate on a hockey team like her brother. With age comes wisdom, and realizing how poorly she skates, she now much prefers watching the professionals. Writing about history for her day job, Kyle enjoys combining her two loves by writing hockey history. She still hates toe picks.

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