Post by NYI - Scott on Oct 18, 2022 16:16:29 GMT
The Islanders announced Tuesday morning that they will relieve head coach Al Arbour of his duties with
the team effective immediately. Arbour still has two years remaining on his contract, and no terms of his
buyout have been released.
Arbour guided the Islanders to four playoff appearances in five seasons and advanced the team to the
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals each time but could not advance to the Conference Finals. Arbour
compiled a 215 196 36 record in 450 regular-season games and a 22-25 record in the postseason with
the club.
Lately, tensions have been high between Arbour and GM Scott Canfield over the team’s performance.
Recently in a post-game interview, Arbour openly criticized management about the club’s lack of early
signings in free agency and trying to compete with a “bare cupboard”. Canfield expressed his displeasure
with Arbour airing any complaints with the media instead a talking directly with him.
Official Statement from Isles GM Scott Canfield this morning:
"The New York Islanders front office has made a decision to release Al Arbour from his head coaching
Duties at this time. As Islanders’ fans have seen, this organization does not shy away from making tough
decisions or ones based purely on emotion. Of course, the decision to release Al was difficult, as it should
have been.
I wish Al and his family well and thank him for his incredible leadership and results. Nothing will ever take
away the success he brought our franchise, our fans and family. Al will forever be etched into history as
the first coach of this club, and during his tenure here, he brought a memorable era of New York Islanders
hockey. And for that, we will always be connected and always eternally grateful.
But it is time to move on.
We are extremely fortunate to have Mike Milbury in the Isles organization and feel strongly that he is best
positioned to take the helm and continue leading our players to post-season success. At this time, Mike
will be taking on the duties as head coach of the Islanders for the remainder of the season.”
Milbury has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach under Arbour. The 44-year-old Milbury
gained some notoriety in the Big Apple during “the shoe incident” as a player with the Boston Bruins. On
December 23, 1979, the Bruins claimed a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square
Garden. During an on-ice fray among players, a Rangers fan cut Stan Jonathan's face with a rolled-up
program and grabbed his hockey stick. Terry O'Reilly climbed over the Plexiglas and went into the stands
in pursuit of the offender, followed by Peter McNab and Milbury. Milbury caught the unruly spectator,
removed one of his shoes and, while holding the heel end, slapped him hard once with the sole side
before being restrained. Subsequently, the league suspended O'Reilly for eight games and McNab and
Milbury for six, with each being fined $500. This incident also resulted in the installation of higher glass
panels enclosing rinks in ECASHL hockey arenas.
When questioned about it, Canfield replied, “That incident was years ago when he was a player. Mike
learned from it and he brings that type of passion to the bench. Hopefully its contagious and the players
will positively respond. He will address [the media] after today’s game as he’s currently busy with the
pre-game skate,” added Canfield.
the team effective immediately. Arbour still has two years remaining on his contract, and no terms of his
buyout have been released.
Arbour guided the Islanders to four playoff appearances in five seasons and advanced the team to the
Eastern Conference Semi-Finals each time but could not advance to the Conference Finals. Arbour
compiled a 215 196 36 record in 450 regular-season games and a 22-25 record in the postseason with
the club.
Lately, tensions have been high between Arbour and GM Scott Canfield over the team’s performance.
Recently in a post-game interview, Arbour openly criticized management about the club’s lack of early
signings in free agency and trying to compete with a “bare cupboard”. Canfield expressed his displeasure
with Arbour airing any complaints with the media instead a talking directly with him.
Official Statement from Isles GM Scott Canfield this morning:
"The New York Islanders front office has made a decision to release Al Arbour from his head coaching
Duties at this time. As Islanders’ fans have seen, this organization does not shy away from making tough
decisions or ones based purely on emotion. Of course, the decision to release Al was difficult, as it should
have been.
I wish Al and his family well and thank him for his incredible leadership and results. Nothing will ever take
away the success he brought our franchise, our fans and family. Al will forever be etched into history as
the first coach of this club, and during his tenure here, he brought a memorable era of New York Islanders
hockey. And for that, we will always be connected and always eternally grateful.
But it is time to move on.
We are extremely fortunate to have Mike Milbury in the Isles organization and feel strongly that he is best
positioned to take the helm and continue leading our players to post-season success. At this time, Mike
will be taking on the duties as head coach of the Islanders for the remainder of the season.”
Milbury has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach under Arbour. The 44-year-old Milbury
gained some notoriety in the Big Apple during “the shoe incident” as a player with the Boston Bruins. On
December 23, 1979, the Bruins claimed a 4-3 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square
Garden. During an on-ice fray among players, a Rangers fan cut Stan Jonathan's face with a rolled-up
program and grabbed his hockey stick. Terry O'Reilly climbed over the Plexiglas and went into the stands
in pursuit of the offender, followed by Peter McNab and Milbury. Milbury caught the unruly spectator,
removed one of his shoes and, while holding the heel end, slapped him hard once with the sole side
before being restrained. Subsequently, the league suspended O'Reilly for eight games and McNab and
Milbury for six, with each being fined $500. This incident also resulted in the installation of higher glass
panels enclosing rinks in ECASHL hockey arenas.
When questioned about it, Canfield replied, “That incident was years ago when he was a player. Mike
learned from it and he brings that type of passion to the bench. Hopefully its contagious and the players
will positively respond. He will address [the media] after today’s game as he’s currently busy with the
pre-game skate,” added Canfield.