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With the hiring of Mathieu Darche as general manager and executive vice president, the Islanders have a new head of hockey operations with quite the resume.
Darche played in the NHL and AHL before transitioning to the business world after his playing career. He later returned to hockey and became the assistant general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, helping shape a roster that won two Stanley Cups.
Now, he brings that wealth of experience to Long Island.
“I think it’s the total package,” said Islanders operating partner John Collins. “When the ownership group talked about the qualities that we wanted inside of our organization, we wanted someone who is really collaborative but who is really a strong hockey leader and was going to build a culture that would be a fit with what the community wants from us, what our business partners want from us and ultimately what our fans want from us.”
Darche grew up in Montreal, but his first hockey memories were of the Islanders’ rise to dynasty status in the early ’80s. He idolized Montreal native Mike Bossy and remembers other Islanders legends like Denis Potvin and Bryan Trottier. More recently, he recalled the electric atmosphere at Nassau Coliseum during the 2021 Stanley Cup semifinal against Tampa Bay.
He vividly remembers Anthony Beauvillier’s overtime goal in Game 6 that sent the series back to Florida.
“It’s an unbelievable fan base,” said Darche. “I’m really excited. Every day, my focus will be to improve the New York Islanders and make us a winning organization. I want this team to be a perennial playoff team and once you get in the playoffs you have to go for the Stanley Cup.”
The Darche blueprint
In recent years, the Islanders have struggled with pace. Darche wants to change that — without sacrificing their identity on defense.
“I want to see a fast-paced team,” he said. “You can’t win if you don’t defend. Playing defensive and defending are two different things. You need everything to build a good team. Fast, high-paced, intensity, compete… that’s how you win in the NHL.”
Darche has confirmed that head coach Patrick Roy will return. Together, they’ll hire new assistant coaches and build a roster that reflects this up-tempo vision. But alignment across all levels of the organization will be key.
“Everybody being aligned,” Darche said. “Everybody on the same page. You have to play the style of play for the players that you have. I want to play fast. I want to defend well. I want us to develop well. I want us to have success in the AHL. You can’t just have a good NHL team and not care about the AHL. That’s your pipeline.”
Darche also made clear he believes in the Islanders’ core — but change is still coming.
“This summer, that’s going to be my focus,” he said. “Every single day, you’re making decisions to increase the odds of your team winning the Stanley Cup and that’s what I’m going to do every day. I think this team can make the playoffs.”
He’s already making moves, too, the New York Post is reporting.
The first draft pick
Before Darche was hired, the Islanders won the NHL Draft Lottery and secured the first overall pick on June 27.
Top prospects include Erie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Saginaw center Michael Misa, and Long Island native James Hagens, a center at Boston College.
Whether the Islanders keep the pick or trade down remains to be seen.
“I’m very fortunate to come in with the first overall pick,” said Darche. “It’s not very often when you get a job and the first thing you have to do is pick the best player in the draft. I expect us to make the pick. You have to do your due diligence. Anyone who calls, you have to listen but someone would really have to knock my socks off to trade that pick because we’re going to get a special player.”
A new era
Darche’s home in Tampa is already on the market and his wife has started house hunting on Long Island.
He’s ready to start building something special.
And he’s wasted no time getting to work. On Friday, Darche re-signed Kyle Palmieri to a two-year extension and Adam Boqvist to a one-year deal— his first moves as Islanders GM.
“It’s awesome because this brand is strong around the NHL,” said Darche. “It’s a storied franchise. We want to create our own legacy. We want to create our own success.”
Whether he can help the Islanders reclaim Stanley Cup glory remains to be seen. But Darche made a strong first impression with fans at his introductory press conference.
“I’m looking forward to moving on Long Island,” he said. “(My wife and I are) excited. We want to get involved in the community.”
Top photo: Mathieu Darche announced as general manager of the New York Islanders. (Credit: New York Islanders/Dennis DaSilva)
