The New York Islanders have hired Scott Gordon as their new head coach.
Named the AHL Coach of the Year after compiling a 55-18-3 record with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, the 45-year-old undertakes a big challenge with the rebuilding Islanders.
"We went through a rigorous interview process, and Scott stood out among the other candidates as being a great communicator and providing structure to his team, accountability in the locker-room and disciplined play," Snow explained during a Tuesday conference call.
"Scott has been one of the top up-and-coming coaches in hockey and with good reason," said Snow. "Through his work in the minor leagues and most recently with Providence over the last eight years, he has gained an impeccable reputation."
Gordon was a goaltender at Boston College and in a number of minor leagues as well as getting into 23 games with the Quebec Nordiques, got into coaching in the 1994-1995 season. working with the Atlanta Knights and Quebec Rafales of the International Hockey League and the Roanoke Express of the ECHL before arriving in Providence as an assistant coach in 2000-2001.
In five season with Providence, Gordon compiled a record of 221-141-20-27.
"From my time coaching in Providence, I've seen firsthand the talented young players in this organization. I look at the direction and the vision for this team and see a bright future."
Current Islanders Ben Walter and Andy Hilbert are players that Gordon had coached previously with Providence.