Ted Nolan is back in the NHL
By Allan Beaver
It’s been a long time coming but by now, every Aboriginal hockey fan has heard the great news that Ted Nolan is back in the National Hockey League. It was the main sports headline news which was somewhat overshadowed the 2005-06 NHL play-offs.
Ted Nolan, the head coach of the 2006 Memorial Cup Finalist Moncton Wildcats, the 1996-97 NHL Coach of the Year while with the Buffalo Sabres and the head coach of the 1993 Memorial Cup champion Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, is the New York Islanders' new head coach.
In addition, Islanders Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine, who played for Nolan in Buffalo and Smith as a member of the Rangers, has been named Senior Advisor to the Owner.
"I'm extremely proud of the team of leaders we have put together," said Charles Wang, Owner of the New York Islanders. The Islanders' hockey operations staff also includes Senior VP Mike Milbury, Islanders Executive Director of Player Development Bryan Trottier and Bridgeport Sound Tigers President Howard Saffan. Added Wang: "This is the group that will develop a team that will bring the next Stanley Cup to Long Island."
Bryan Trottier a Metis from Val Marie, Saskatchewan, will join Nolan as the first-ever Aboriginal coach-assistant coach combination in the National Hockey League. It is with no doubt that the New York Islanders have become one of the favorite teams in the NHL by many Aboriginals.
The National Hockey League will be keeping their tabs on the New York Islanders and especially Ted Nolan. The head coach will prove to many in the NHL that he certainly does belong in the NHL. Ted Nolan is one of the best coaches in the business of hockey and he will guide the Islanders to a solid season.
"Knowing that I'll be working in the same office where one of my mentors, Bill Torrey, created a dynasty is an unbelievable feeling. Al Arbour, whom I owe everything to, gave me my first hockey job as an advance scout. I wear my Islanders Stanley Cup ring with immense pride. To be able to come full circle and return home to the Islanders is a dream,” says Nolan
"I want to thank Charles Wang for giving me this chance," said Nolan. "This is an opportunity that I was unsure I would ever receive again. For that reason, I am more charged up about this challenge than any in my life. My family and I are very proud to be joining the great Islanders tradition. I will not let Charles, the Islanders family or our fans down."
LaFontaine, the Islanders' fan favorite for his remarkable skills and impressive work in the Long Island community, will serve as an advisor to Charles Wang. "I'm excited to be back involved with New York Islanders," said LaFontaine.
"It's obvious that Charles has a real passion for Long Island and especially for the Islanders. He has taken a big step today by bringing in proven leaders and great role models.”
He is back in the National Hockey League, Ted Nolan is definitely back and what better news than that in the world of Aboriginal Sports.