Doug Wilson, former San Jose Sharks GM, still has health issues

SAN JOSE – Doug Wilson says his physical health has improved, but he still faces a long recovery from the undisclosed illness that forced him to resign as the Sharks’ general manager earlier this year.

“I am not where I live. “I’ve got some work ahead of me,” Wilson said at a news conference Saturday morning, hours before the Sharks were scheduled to hold a special recognition ceremony for him at the SAP Center.

“I have great compassion for people who do things that you want to be aware of and deal with. I let some things slide and to be honest it didn’t go to a good place.

“I have some jobs and we have good doctors and we just leave it at that.”

Speaking from a podium in a downtown hotel conference room, Wilson, 65, was bothered at times by a persistent cough he suffered last fall before deciding to take what is still believed to be a temporary medical leave.

Wilson, still fired up and looking Saturday morning fit, dressed casually in a plaid shirt and jeans, officially became the Sharks’ GM in April to focus entirely on his health, ending a 19-year reign as the team’s top hockey executive.

“I’m in good hands. I think I’m in a better place than I was 10 or 11 months ago,” Wilson said. “I need to be a better patient. That’s what I was told. But it was relevant. I feel like there is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Asked how long he had to wrestle with the idea of ​​leaving the Sharks before leaving, Wilson said: “It was the right thing to do. I don’t want to do anything about time or anything. I’m probably a bad patient. I knew where I was and where I was going, and maybe I should have talked earlier.

But I don’t look back and (new Sharks GM) Mike Grier, one of our former players, is going to do a great job and I’m very proud to be a fan of his. It was the right time,” he said.

Upon his resignation, Wilson said he wanted to return to work in an NHL team’s front office. But now he is putting all his energy into his health and recovery.

“My priority is to get my health back,” Wilson said. “I’ve got seven grandkids I want to chase – they’re probably harder to chase than 23 players.

“I’ve always realized how important health is, and that’s increased quite a bit in the last year or so. That is really important and I need to answer that before I consider any other choice or move.

Before the Sharks take on the Chicago Blackhawks at the SAP Center on Saturday, the team will raise a banner to commemorate Wilson’s accomplishments with the organization.

Wilson had a 16-year NHL career, including 14 seasons with the Blackhawks from 1977 to 1991. In his NHL career, Wilson had 827 points in 1,024 games and won the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman after the 1981-82 season. He had 39 goals and 85 points.