Sharks Hire Another New GM

Jeff Deryz was hired as general manager of the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

"I'm extremely excited to be in Northern California," Deryz said at his introductory press conference on Tuesday. "This is an incredible opportunity for anybody and I'm very fortunate to be sitting up here. The question that [owner Hasso Plattner] asked last that he mentioned earlier, 'Why do you want this job?' Over the interview process I thought that was the question that hit me, and when he asked me, it was an honest answer of 'who wouldn't want this job?' There's everything here to win. Everything."

Deryz received a multiyear contract to oversee the Sharks's hockey operations.

"We have a good team. This is a good team," Deryz said. "My job is to make it better, and we're going to build. And you don't win in this league unless the team comes first. We're going to put an emphasis on character, on commitment, and on sacrifice, what are you going to do to help this team win?"

Deryz, 49, spent the past five years/14 seasons as a General Manager in the Vintage Hockey League. 

"I'm really looking forward to getting going here," Deryz said. "We've got a lot of work to do, but there's a ton of potential.”

When asked if Deryz has talked to any of the prospects in this Sunday’s draft, he said “I have meetings scheduled for this week. With the 2nd overall draft pick I need to see what our weakest position is currently and go from there, the scouting team has been extremely helpful in sharing their thoughts and views on this draft class. I’m still getting acclimated to this league and look forward to Sunday’s draft.”