Chiefs Owner, ECHL All-Star Game Analyst Smith Named Islanders' General Manager
June 12, 2006 - ECHL (ECHL) News Release
NEW YORK - The New York Islanders of the National Hockey League
announced that Neil Smith has been named the fourth general manager in
Islanders history.
Smith is part of the Johnstown Chiefs ownership group and has been the
analyst on the ECHL All-Star Game telecast each of the past five years. He
assisted OLN in launching its NHL coverage this past season, working as
part of the studio show and as an analyst during game broadcasts, and
previously was an analyst for ESPN, The NHL Network and TSN.
Smith, who was drafted by the Islanders in 1974, has a 1981-82 Stanley Cup
ring from his days as an Islanders scout and he was the architect of the
New York Rangers' 1993-94 Stanley Cup championship team.
"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," said
Smith. "I wear my Islanders Stanley Cup ring with immense pride, and to be
able to come full circle and return home to the Islanders is a dream."
He was general manager of the New York Rangers from 1989-2000 and was
promoted to president in 1992, becoming the first president in Rangers
history to also hold the title of general manager. During his tenure,
which, in the history of the franchise, was second only to the legendary
Lester Patrick in terms of longevity, the Rangers captured three division
titles, two Presidents' Trophy honors, an Eastern Conference Championship
and a Stanley Cup Championship. The championship in 1993-94 was the
culmination of a season in which the Rangers set club records with 52 wins
and 112 points and ended a 54-year run of Stanley Cup frustration.
Following the 1991-92 and 1993-94 seasons, Smith was named Executive of the
Year by The Hockey News and The Sporting News, respectively.
ECHL Stories from June 12, 2006
- Condors community update â week of June 12th - Bakersfield Condors
- Hockey vs. hunger food drive for Poverello House - Fresno Falcons
- RoadRunners' Weiss Named 2005-06 ECHL Broadcaster of the Year - Phoenix RoadRunners
- Phoenix's Weiss Receives ECHL Broadcaster Award - ECHL
- Zager Receives ECHL Media Relations Award - San Diego Gulls
- San Diego's Zager Receives ECHL Media Relations Award - ECHL
- ECHL Meetings Emphasize \'Teams Helping Teams\' - ECHL
- Chiefs Owner, ECHL All-Star Game Analyst Smith Named Islanders' General Manager - ECHL
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