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Reigning AHL Coach of the Year to Lead Islanders

Scott Gordon

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow has named Scott Gordon the team's head coach. Gordon, the reigning American Hockey League Coach of the Year with the Providence Bruins, is the 14th head coach in franchise history. He has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Islanders.

"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. The entire Islanders organization looks forward to working with Scott."

"Garth has given me an unbelievable opportunity to coach in the NHL with the Islanders," said Gordon. "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."

Last season, the 45-year old Gordon led Providence to an AHL-best record of 55-18-3, while ranking second in the league in goals scored and seventh in fewest goals against. After spending two full seasons as an assistant coach for Providence, Gordon was promoted to head coach in his third season for the final nine games of the 2002-03 regular season and playoffs. Gordon then spent the next five seasons as the head coach of Providence, leading the team to a record of 221-141-20-27 (W-L-T-OT/SOL).

Gordon began his coaching career with the International Hockey League's Atlanta Knights from 1994-96 and then spent two seasons with the IHL's Quebec Rafales from 1996-98. When Gordon was named the Head Coach of the Knights on January 5, 1996, he became the youngest Head Coach in the league's 53-year history at 32 years of age.

Gordon also went on to coach the Roanoke Express of the ECHL where he led the club to consecutive first-place finishes in the Northeast Division from 1998-99 to 1999-2000.
A Brockton, Massachusetts native, Gordon began his hockey career as a goaltender.

He attended Boston College from 1982-86, posting a 64-35-3 record over that span. He backstopped Boston College to an NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 1985 and was named a Hockey East First-Team All-Star in 1986. He helped Boston College finish in first place in the ECAC East Region in 1983-84 before leading them to first place finishes in Hockey East in 1984-85 and 1985-86.

Following the completion of his collegiate career, Gordon began his professional playing career in 1986-87 when he signed with the Quebec Nordiques. Gordon made his NHL debut in 1989-90 with Quebec and played a total of 23 career NHL games, all with the Nordiques. He also holds the distinction of being the first ECHL graduate to play in the NHL. Gordon played on the 1992 United States Olympic team before retiring as a player following the 1993-94 season.

Gordon will be introduced at a 1:00 PM press conference on Wednesday and it can be seen live on Islanders TV at www.newyorkislanders.com.

HOUSTON SMITH'S VIEW:   Gordon is a great choice to replace the much underappreciated Ted Nolan.  Gordon prefers a wide-open and exciting brand of hockey look for the Islanders to be much more adventurous and open-minded offensively.