Mon May 12 20:09:01 2008

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Ron Wilson out as Sharks head coach

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San Jose, CA (Sports Network) - The San Jose Sharks relieved Ron Wilson of his head coaching duties on Monday, a little over a week since the club bowed out in the second round of the playoffs.

"Ron helped foster a new era in San Jose Sharks hockey with some record- setting regular-season performances," said team general manager Doug Wilson. "However, ultimately we have decided that it is time for a different voice and a different approach to lead this team."

Wilson piloted the Sharks to a 49-23-10 record in the 2007-2008 regular season. Though San Jose finished with the second-best mark in the Western Conference, the club fell in the conference semifinals to the Dallas Stars, the second consecutive year they've failed to win more than one playoff round.

"We are proud of what we've accomplished as an organization but we feel that this team is capable of achieving greater success," added Wilson. "I want to thank Ron for his level of commitment and desire to make our organization successful. Our entire organization wishes him well."

Wilson replaced Darryl Sutter as the sixth head coach in franchise history back in December 2002. He finished the campaign with a 206-134-45 record in 385 games with San Jose over four-plus seasons, including a franchise-best 51 wins in 2006-2007.

He leaves his post as the franchise leader in total wins and second to Sutter in games coached.

Over a 13-year career as a head coach with Anaheim, Washington and San Jose, the 51-year-old Ontario native holds a 518-446-127 record in 1,091 games.

Wilson was the first head coach in Ducks franchise history, and led the Capitals to their only Stanley Cup final appearance in 1998. Wilson's teams made the playoffs on seven occasions, including the last three with the Sharks.