Ted Nolan is back!
June 8, 2006

On June 8th, 2006, the New York Islanders hockey club announced Ted Nolan as their new head coach.  This has been a long time coming for the man from the Garden River First Nation, just outside of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.  A one time winner of the Jack Adams Award as the NHL Coach of the Year during his time with the Buffalo Sabres, Ted has finally gotten the chance to again coach in the NHL. 

The Islanders, who failed to make the playoffs this past season, appear to be putting the pieces together in hopes of becoming the winning and successful organization they once were.  Owner, Charles Wang, was also able to hire former New York Ranger GM, Neil Smith, to help build a contender on Long Island.

Ted Nolan is certainly excited to be coaching in the NHL once again, as evident in his statement to the media during a press conference at the Long Island Marriott and Conference Center on Thursday afternoon.

"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."

Recently, former Islander great, Bryan Trottier, was hired as the Executive Director of Player Development.  Trottier is of Metis descent, and was a true fan favorite during his playing days as a member of the Islanders.

Nativehockey.com would like to extend our congratulations to Ted Nolan on being hired as the new coach of the New York Islander.
We also congratulate Bryan Trottier on his new appointment within the Islanders organization.  And congratulations to Mr. Charles Wang, because he has certainly acquired a true winner to lead his team and did so while other organizations passed on that opportunity.