Peter Philip Laviolette Jr. is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player who is the head coach for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the NHL, he played a total of 12 games with the Rangers in the 1988–89 season. Following retirement from active play, Laviolette also served as head coach of the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, and Washington Capitals. He led the Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup win in 2006, and later coached the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2010, as well as the Predators in 2017. Laviolette is the fourth coach in NHL history to lead three teams to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Laviolette in 2014
Laviolette coaching the Philadelphia Flyers in April 2012
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Elmont, New York. The Islanders compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Metropolitan Division in the Eastern Conference, and play their home games at UBS Arena. The Islanders are one of three NHL franchises in the New York metropolitan area, along with the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers, and their fanbase resides primarily on Long Island.
William Shea played a major role in bringing a hockey team to Long Island.
Denis Potvin led the Islanders to playoff success in the 1970s and 1980s.
Mike Bossy was selected with the 15th overall pick in 1977 and became the third Islander to win the Calder Memorial Trophy.
Before the 1980 playoffs, the Islanders acquired Butch Goring from the Los Angeles Kings. Goring's arrival was often called the "final piece of the puzzle."