The San Jose Sharks have fired head coach Ron Wilson.
The Sharks announced on Tuesday that Wilson's tenure with the club was over and that they would start looking for a replacement immediately.
"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record-setting regular season performances," said general manager Doug Wilson in a release. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team."
The Sharks won the Pacific Division for the second time in club history in 2007/08 but were eliminated by the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Semifinals.
"In most ways I was shocked when Doug told me, but in some ways I guess I was not surprised," Ron Wilson told THE CANADIAN PRESS. "When it happens when you don't expect it, you're disappointed. I can honestly say that I couldn't be prouder of my work here. I think our team's record speaks for itself. Obviously we didn't win a Stanley Cup while I was here. I'm disappointed in that as any coach would be."
Wilson became the sixth head coach in Sharks' history on December 4, 2002. He holds club coaching records for wins (206), winning percentage (.535) and postseason games coached (52). The Sharks put together a 206-134-45 record in the regular season and a 28-24 playoff record with Wilson behind the bench.
"Even though coaching can be a very callous and negative position, my staff and I poured my heart and soul into this," Ron Wilson told THE CANADIAN PRESS. "It's very difficult to talk about this unemotionally."
Over his career Wilson has coached the San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks, compiling a record of 518-446-127 over his 1,091 games. He coached the Capitals to the Stanley Cup Final during the 1997-98 season but Washington was swept by the Detroit Red Wings.
