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For 16 seasons, Chuck
worked with the NHL. From 1995 to 1996 he held the position of Executive Vice President,
Director of Player Personnel for the San Jose Sharks. Grillo supervised the club's
scouting department and player development program and was responsible for their draft
selections. He was the Sharks primary source of information regarding player trades and
acquisitions.
Grillo was promoted to executive vice president on March 23, 1995. He
previously held a vice president title, along with some duties of the office of general
manager, since June 26, 1992. Grillo, a native of Hibbing, Minn., served as director of
pro scouting from 1988-90 with the Minnesota North Stars, preceded by eight years as a
scout for the New York Rangers.
 Chuck
is noted for his ability to distinguish talent and implement innovative ideas for
player development. Since joining the Sharks, Grillo and his scouting staff have seen 29
of their 60 Entry Draft selections play with the parent club or in the NHL, including
1994's first round selection (11th overall) Jeff Friesen, Alexie Yegorov and Vaclav Varada
for Buffalo. Eight of the 13 players taken in the initial draft in 1991 have NHL
experience, including Pat Falloon, Ray Whitney, Sandis Ozolinsh and Dody Wood from the
1995 playoff club. Many players who contributed to the 1994-95 International Hockey League
runner-up Kansas City Blades (Sharks development affiliate) were acquired and developed by
Grillo and his staff, including Jan Caloun, Shean Donovan, Dean Grillo and Fredrick
Nilsson. Also, the Sharks first six selections in the 1992 Entry Draft are projected to
have NHL careers, according to NHL Central Scouting Bureau reviews. Vlastmil Kroupa,
drafted in the second round (45th overall) in 1993, was a Sharks regular and appeared in
all 14 playoff games during 1993-94. John Nabokov topped off the 94 draft. Viktor
Kozlov, Shean Donovan and Ville Peltonen made the team and were traded. Most
recently the staff witnessed four of their goalies dress in the Stanley Cup series with
St. Louis. It has been especially gratifying to see Nabakov, Kiprusoff, Toskala and
Roman Turek for St Louis progress in their pro careers.
Grillo participated in the NHL draft process since 1981. His
contributions have led to the selection of 47 players who are established NHL performers,
and nearly 30 others who either have NHL experience or are on the verge of breaking into
the league. Out of 14 first-round selections for whom he has been responsible, all 14 have
become NHL regulars, including James Patrick, Dave Gagner, Ulf Dahlen, Brian Leetch (1994
Playoffs MVP), Jayson More, Darian Hatcher, Falloon, Mike Rathje, Andrei Nazarov, Viktor
Kozlov and Friesen (named to 1994-95 All- Rookie Team). The 95 draft resulted in goal
tenders Mikka Kiprusoff and Vesa Toskala. Mike Richter, John Vanbiesbrouck, Tony
Amonte, Tony Granato, Tomas Sandstrom, Corey Millen, Paul Broten, Kelly and Kevin Miller
add glitter to the list. Chuck participated on staffs with seven players in the 1997 NHL
All Star game and no less than six in 98, 99, 00 and 01. The recent successes
of the goal tenders only add to the fun. Only one 2nd round pick failed to play a
game in the NHL and he is still playing
Grillo, 56, and his wife Clairene own and operate the highly successful
Minnesota Hockey Camps in Nisswa, Minn., considered in the profession as the finest hockey
development center in North America. Celebrating its 21st summer, many athletes at the
camp have gone on to become players, coaches and trainers in the NHL, Junior and College.
In addition, many NHL clubs send their players to the camp for off-season development.
Most important, however, are the success stories in life where players did a 180
degree turn in a life after hockey and became productive citizens.
The reason for Grillo operating the camp is his belief that "hockey
players are not born into the NHL, they are educated, nurtured and developed. The failure
to do this has ultimately led to the destruction of many careers among potential NHL
players."
Sharks players who have honed their abilities at the camp include Wade
Flaherty, Jeff Odgers and Sandis Ozolinsh. Most Sharks draft picks, including recent picks
Kozlov, Friesen, Nazarov, Donovan, Kroupa, Peltonen, Yegorov and Rathje, also spent a
portion of their summer at the facility.
Grillo spent 16 years as a high school hockey and baseball coach, taking
teams to the Minnesota state tournament 11 times including 1973 when he was named
Minnesota State High School League Coach of the Year at Bemidji High School.
A former U.S. Marine, Grillo is also the owner of a master's degree in
guidance and counseling from Bemidji State University, and is working toward a doctorate
in educational administration. |
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EMAIL QUESTIONS HERE!
or call (218) 963-2444
Get Chuck's Resume
Meet Chuck's Parents
Meet Chuck's Mentors
Harry MacDonald
Herb Brooks
Larry "Pops" Ross
Dave Doers
Ron Novak
David Knoblauch
Paul Elvin
George Gund
Jack Blatherwick
Brainerd Civic Center
BEMIDJI, MN - BILL HOWE, HALVOR REISE, TUSS LANGLIE, DICK KROLL, BUCK HAACK and RED WILSON
BEMIDJI, MN - BUCK and ROSE SARGENT, SHELDON McRAE, JACK and SHARON ISRAELSON, CON
MURPHY, DES SAGEDAHL, JOE VENE
JOHN TANNER and THE DONDELINGER FAMILY
GOLD MEDAL ARENA GROUP, TIM HOLDEN, DAN VOGT and BRAINERD CITY COUNCIL
Craig Patrick
Stewart Mills, Jr.
Dan Summers
Clairene Grillo
John Mariucci
Kyle Peterson
Tony Jelacie
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