Douglas Murray

The NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA), established in 1999, is a charitable organization in Canada and the US that serves as a passionate advocate devoted to bettering the lives of its members (all former NHL Players). The NHLAA exemplifies this commitment to its members in many different ways including financial assistance, commercializing players​ rights, emotional support, physical care, post playing career transition and family aid all in furtherance of its efforts to ‘Honour the Past’. Since its inception, the NHLAA has acted as a liaison with its 29 local chapters and has become the largest membership association for retired professional hockey players.

Through visionary leadership and partnerships with local organizations, the Sharks Alumni Foundation aims to strengthen the Bay Area youth sports community, and support other local causes. The San Jose Sharks have been part of the Bay Area sports landscape since 1991 and many former hockey players now call San Jose and the South Bay their permanent home. Players and alumni fall in love with amazing geography, culture, and community offered in the Bay Area. During the San Jose Sharks 25 Year Celebration, ten local alumni began entertaining the idea of an alumni foundation. We discussed our desire to give back to this hockey community that have supported us so unequivocally over the years. Our wish was to make a difference in San Jose for Sharks fans and for the greater Bay Area. By the end of the 25 Year Celebration, the work began on the Sharks Alumni Foundation. Through the combined efforts of these former players, the San Jose Sharks organization, The Silvercreek Sportsplex Foundation, and others, the Sharks Alumni Foundation launched in 2017. In discussing our careers as professional athletes, the Sharks Alumni determined that financial support was essential for our success, and we believe that is the case of all sports at any level. The Sharks Alumni Foundation aims to bridge the gap for kids who want to participate in sports, but do not have the financial resources to do so. Through fundraisers and family-friendly community events, the Sharks Alumni Foundation will raise money to that end. As the foundation grows, our desire is to become more involved in community affairs and other charitable causes as well as helping out our fellow alumni.