BROOKLYN (April 12, 2017) – The New York Islanders announced today that Doug Weight has been named Head Coach.
Weight was named the club’s interim Head Coach midway through the 2016-17 season and led the team to a 24-12-4 record over the final 40 games. From Weight’s first game on January 19 to the end of the season, the Islanders posted the second-best record in the National Hockey League with 24 wins and 52 points. The club also registered the most hits in the league during that stretch and scored the fourth-most goals (120).
“Doug has earned this opportunity from the tremendous work he has put in over the past five seasons in our front office and especially from the time he took over as interim Head Coach earlier this season,” President and General Manager Garth Snow said. “His leadership and experiences from both playing and behind the bench are valuable intangibles that not every coach can translate into a winning formula. He’s gained the trust and respect from our entire team, making him the best choice to become Head Coach.”
Weight is the 19th head coach in Islanders History. He will continue to serve as the team’s Assistant GM. Prior to filling the interim position, the Detroit, Mich. native served as Assistant Coach and Assistant GM.
“I’m honored to be named Head Coach of such an historic franchise with one of the most passionate fan-bases in the NHL ,” Weight said. “There is a deep history of winning with the Islanders and I look forward to doing everything in my power to return to the playoffs and have success.”
Weight, a four-time NHL All-Star, was named the 12th captain in Islanders history on October 2, 2009. Originally drafted by the New York Rangers in the second round (34th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, Weight amassed 278 goals and 755 assists in a career that included stints with the Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks and the Islanders. Weight was inducted into the USA Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013. He won the 2011 King Clancy Memorial Trophy, presented annually to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
On the international stage, Weight won a silver medal with the United States at the 2002 Winter Olympics and also skated with the 1998 and 2002 United States Olympic Teams. He also represented the U.S. in the World Cup of Hockey in 2004 and in 1996, helping Team USA win the championship in ‘96. Weight appeared in one World Junior Championship in 1991, leading the entire tournament in scoring, and he also played in the 1993, 1994 and 2005 World Championships for the United States.
Upon retiring as a player on May 26, 2011, Weight was named Islanders Assistant Coach and Senior Advisor to the General Manager.
