Sharks say George Gund III has died

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) George Gund III, the original owner of the San Jose Sharks, has died. He was 75.

The Sharks say Gund died Tuesday after a battle with cancer.

General manager Doug Wilson praised Gund as a great ambassador for hockey.

Gund and his brother Gordon relinquished their ownership stake in the Minnesota North Stars in 1990 in exchange for the rights to an expansion team in the Bay Area. The Sharks played their first game in October 1991.

Gund sold the franchise to Sharks Sports & Entertainment in 2002 but continued to attend games.

Gund also previously held ownership roles with the NHL's California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barons, and the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Sharks will wear a helmet decal and jersey patch with the initials GG III this season.

Updated January 15, 2013