Bryan Trottier

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Bryan John Trottier (born July 17, 1956)[1] is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. He won four Stanley Cups with the Islanders, two with the Penguins and one as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche. He holds the NHL record for points in a single period with 6 (4 goals, 2 assists) in the second period against the Rangers on Dec. 23, [2] 1978. He is also one of only eight NHL players with multiple 5-goal games.[3]

Bryan Trottier
Hockey Hall of Fame, 1997

Contents
1 Playing career 2 Post-retirement 3 Coaching 4 Miscellaneous 5 Coaching statistics 6 Career statistics 7 Achievements 8 See also 9 Footnotes 10 External links

Born

July 17, 1956 Val Marie, SK, CAN 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 195 lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb) Centre Left New York Islanders Pittsburgh Penguins Canada United States 22nd overall, 1974 New York Islanders 18th overall, 1974 Cincinnati Stingers 19751994

Height Weight Position

Playing career
Nicknamed "Trots", he was drafted in 2nd round, 22nd overall by the New York Islanders in the 1974 NHL Entry Draft. Trottier played his first fifteen seasons in the NHL with the Islanders.[4] He set an NHL rookie record of 95 points and won the Calder Trophy as the league's Rookie of the year in 197576. The rookie points record was broken by Peter Stastny of the Quebec Nordiques in 198081. Stastny was still considered a "rookie" in the NHL despite the fact he had previously played professionally in Czechoslovakia.

Shot Played for

National team

NHL Draft WHA Draft Playing career

Trottier's best offensive season was 197879 when he had 134 points which earned him the Art Ross Trophy as well as the Hart Trophy as league MVP. In winning the Art Ross, he became the first player from a post-Original Six expansion team to win the award. In that same season, he led the NHL in assists with 87, which he had also done the year before with 77.

Trottier was one of the core players on the Islanders dynasty teams from the 1980s. He won four Stanley Cups during his time with the Islanders from 1980 to 1983. During the Islanders' first Stanley Cup in 1980, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. In 198182, Trottier scored 50 goals, the highest single-season total of his career. During the early 1980s when Wayne Gretzky set numerous scoring marks, Islanders' broadcaster Stan Fischler and coach Al Arbour nonetheless maintained that Trottier was the best player over Gretzky. Trottier was described as a forward possessing an all-around game including ruggedness, and there have been comparisons to Milt Schmidt, Gordie Howe, and Steve Yzerman. Arbour stated "Gretzky is an offensive genius for sure. But at this stage Trots gives you more things. Defensively, he's outstanding. And he's physically tough. He comes up with his 100 points a year, automatically, along with everything else!"[5] Trottier was often referred to as the "glue" on the Isles team, centering his fellow stars Clark Gillies and Mike Bossy on a line known as The Trio Grande. While the 197778 season was Bossy's rookie year, the Trio Grande at one point led the NHL in scoring above the top lines of the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Rockies.[6] Other linemates that played with Trottier also included John Tonelli, Bob Bourne, Bob Nystrom, as well as a few others. However, Trottier was most known for his dynamic on-ice partnership with Mike Bossy during his prime years with the Islanders until Bossy's early retirement at the end of the 1987 season. Undaunted by heavy criticism from fellow Canadians, Trottier chose to play for Team USA in the 1984 Canada Cup tournament, after playing for Team Canada in 1981, because he wanted to pay back the country in which he lived and because his wife was American. He was able to obtain the necessary U.S. citizenship in July 1984 because he had Mtis ancestry on his father's side (Cree/Chippewa). His North American Indian Card (for which he qualified because his grandmother was a Chippewa) entitled him to citizenship in both the U.S. and Canada, as well as a U.S. passport, which was all he needed for tournament eligibility. Unlike other star centermen, longevity was not Trottier's hallmark. Following his 13th season, Trottier's skills seemed to deteriorate precipitously, decreasing from 82 points in 1988 to 45 points just one year later, and 24 points in 1990. After that low output, Islanders management released Trottier from his contract, believing that his best years were behind him and that younger centers such as Pat LaFontaine and Brent Sutter should get his ice time. He ranks second in Islanders history in goals, and first in assists and points. It could be noted, however, that even as Trottier's scoring declined he remained effective in body checking and defensive abilities.[7] The Pittsburgh Penguins signed him as a free agent to provide experience and leadership to a young team. Trottier won the Stanley Cup for the fifth and sixth times with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992. Trottier took the 199293 season off, returning to the Isles in a front office capacity, but financial troubles, stemming from bad investments, forced Trottier to return to the ice with the Penguins for the 199394 season. He retired again following a disappointing final season where he scored only 4 goals in 41 games. At the time of his retirement, his point total ranked 6th in NHL history.

Post-retirement
Following his retirement, Trottier played for the Pittsburgh Phantoms of the Roller Hockey International league in its 1994 season. Trottier was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 1997.[8]

After many of his Islander teammates, including linemates Mike Bossy and Clark Gillies were honored by the Islander organization by having their numbers retired, Trottier was expected to be next. His number 19 was raised to the rafters on October 20, 2001. On March 4, 2006, the New York Islanders celebrated the 26th anniversary of their first Stanley Cup championship. Trottier, apparently forgiven for his stint with the rival Rangers, was given one of the largest ovations of the evening, and was perhaps the most boisterous. He gave a familiar salute to the fans who lined up to watch a pregame "Walk of Champions" entering the building, raising both hands high above his head, reminiscent of his days playing on the Island where he would do the same to the fans cheering him on. On June 1, 2006, Trottier returned to the Islanders as Executive Director of Player Development. Trottier is currently 16th all-time in regular season points, having been passed by Jaromr Jgr and Joe Sakic during the 200506 NHL season, Mark Recchi during the 200809 NHL season and Teemu Selanne during the 2012-13 NHL season. He is 9th all-time in playoff points, and remains the Islanders all-time leader in assists and points. Trottier was named by Islanders fans as the second greatest player in franchise history, ahead of Denis Potvin and behind Mike Bossy.

Coaching
After serving as an assistant coach in Pittsburgh until 1997, he took a similar position with the Colorado Avalanche, where he won his seventh career Stanley Cup in 2001. He was named as head coach of the New York Rangers in 2002, much to the ire of Islander fans. However, his brief stint with the Rangers lasted only 54 games, slightly longer than the halfway mark of the season. In addition to receiving criticism from Isles fans who labeled him a traitor, he drew the rage of Ranger fans as well, who felt he misused his offensively gifted players such as Eric Lindros and Pavel Bure by having them play the neutral-zone trap (a defensive tactic used to slow down the opponent, but also limiting the user's offensive chances). At the time of his dismissal at the hands of general manager Glen Sather, Bryan Trottier had coached 54 games with the New York Rangers and the team had a record of 212661 and a winning percentage of 45.4%.[9]

Miscellaneous
Steve Yzerman, who was also renowned for his strong two-way play, considered Trottier his favorite player.[10] He wore the number 19 in honor of Trottier. Of Trottier's 18 seasons in the NHL, he missed taking part in the post-season only once. The lone miss occurred during the 198889 season, when his Islanders team failed to qualify for the playoffs. Trottier sits 11th all-time with 184 playoff points on the strength of 71 goals (T-16th) and 113 assists (15th) in 221 games played (10th). As of the end of the 201213 season there are no active NHL players in the top 25 all time in playoff points to challenge Trottier's position. His 184 playoff points puts Trottier between two great players from the Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman just ahead of him with 185 pts, and Nicklas Lidstrom just one behind at 183 points. As a child, Trottier played for the Climax Hockey Team in Climax, Saskatchewan and as a minor hockey player he played for the Swift Current Broncos.[11] Trottier currently resides in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Trottier has four children: Bryan Jr., Lindsey, Tayler, and Christian.

Coaching statistics
Team Year Regular season G W L T OTL Pts Division rank 1 49 4 in Atlantic
th

Post season Result (fired)

New York Rangers 200203 54 21 26 6

Career statistics
Season 197273 197374 197475 197576 197677 197778 197879 197980 198081 198182 198283 198384 198485 198586 198687 198788 198889 198990 199091 199192 199394 Team Swift Current Broncos Swift Current Broncos Lethbridge Broncos New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders* New York Islanders* New York Islanders* New York Islanders* New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders New York Islanders Pittsburgh Penguins* Pittsburgh Penguins* Pittsburgh Penguins WCJHL totals NHL totals League WCHL WCHL WCHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL NHL Regular season GP G A Pts PIM 67 16 29 45 10 68 41 71 112 76 67 46 98 144 103 80 32 63 95 21 76 30 42 72 34 77 46 77 123 46 76 47 87 134 50 78 42 62 104 68 73 31 72 103 74 80 50 79 129 88 80 34 55 89 68 68 40 71 111 59 68 28 31 59 47 78 37 59 96 72 80 23 64 87 50 77 30 52 82 48 73 17 28 45 44 59 13 11 24 29 52 9 19 28 24 63 11 18 29 54 41 4 11 15 36 202 103 198 301 189 1279 524 901 1425 912 Playoffs GP G A Pts PIM 13 7 8 15 8 6 2 5 7 14 13 1 7 8 8 12 2 8 10 2 7 0 3 3 4 10 2 4 6 13 21 12 17 29 16 18 11 18 29 34 19 6 23 29 40 17 8 12 20 18 21 8 6 14 49 10 4 2 6 8 3 1 1 2 2 14 8 5 13 12 6 0 0 0 10 4 1 0 1 4 23 3 4 7 49 21 4 3 7 8 2 0 0 0 0 19 9 13 22 22 22171113 184 277

*Stanley Cup champion

Achievements
1975 WCHL All-Star Team 1976 Calder Memorial Trophy 1976 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1978 NHL First All-Star Team 1978 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1979 NHL First All-Star Team 1979 NHL Plus/Minus Leader 1979 Art Ross Trophy 1979 Hart Trophy 1980 Conn Smythe Trophy 1980 Played in NHL All-Star Game

1982 NHL Second All-Star Team 1982 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1983 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1984 NHL Second All-Star Team 1985 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1986 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1988 Budweiser NHL Man of the Year Award 1989 King Clancy Memorial Trophy 1992 Played in NHL All-Star Game 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 Stanley Cup champion (New York Islanders) 1991, 1992 Stanley Cup champion (Pittsburgh Penguins) 2001 Stanley Cup champion (Assistant coach) (Colorado Avalanche) In 1998, he was ranked number 30 on The Hockey News' list of the 100 Greatest Hockey Players.

See also
List of NHL statistical leaders List of players with 5 or more goals in an NHL game List of NHL players with 1000 points List of NHL players with 500 goals List of NHL players with 1000 games played

Footnotes
1. ^ "Legends of Hockey The Legends Honoured Player Trottier, Bryan" (http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp? type=Player&mem=P199702&list=ByName#photo). Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum. The Learning Edge Corporation. 2001-2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. 2. ^ "List of NHL records (individual)" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NHL_records_(individual) #Points). Wikipedia. 3. ^ "List of players with five or more goals in an NHL game" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_players_with_five_or_more_goals_in_an_NHL_game). Wikipedia. 4. ^ "Bryan Trottier Biography" (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1456090/bio). Internet Movie Database Inc. 1990-2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. 5. ^ nyislanderslegends (http://nyislanderslegends.blogspot.com/2006/09/bryan-trottier.html) 6. ^ "Three Islanders Unto Themselves" (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1093175/1/index.htm). CNN. December 12, 1977. 7. ^ nyislanderslegends (http://nyislanderslegends.blogspot.com/2006/09/bryan-trottier.html) 8. ^ "Legends of Hockey Induction Showcase Mario Lemieux" (http://www.legendsofhockey.net/html/ind97ees.htm). Bryan John Trottier, Player Category , Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum. The Learning Edge Corporation. 2001-2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. 9. ^ http://www.hockey-reference.com/coaches/trottbr01c.html 10. ^ http://www.globesports.com (http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070102.wsptduha2/GSStory/GlobeSports) 11. ^ http://esask.uregina.ca/entry/trottier_bryan_1956-.html

External links

 Bryan Trottier's biography (http://www.legendsofhockey.net/LegendsOfHockey/jsp/LegendsMember.jsp? type=Player&mem=P199702&list=ByName#photo) at Legends of Hockey (http://www.legendsofhockey.net/) Bryan Trottier's career statistics (http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php? pid=5471) at The Internet Hockey Database (http://www.hockeydb.com/)
Awards Preceded by Bob Gainey Preceded by Guy Lafleur Preceded by Guy Lafleur Preceded by Eric Vail Preceded by Lanny McDonald Winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy 1980 Winner of the Hart Trophy 1979 Winner of the Art Ross Trophy 1979 Winner of the Calder Trophy 1976 Winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy 1989 Sporting positions Preceded by Tony Esposito Preceded by Ron Low NHLPA President October 24, 1984 November 9, 1992 Head coach of the New York Rangers 200203 Succeeded by Doug Wilson Succeeded by Glen Sather Succeeded by Butch Goring Succeeded by Wayne Gretzky Succeeded by Marcel Dionne Succeeded by Willi Plett Succeeded by Kevin Lowe

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bryan_Trottier&oldid=576868714" Categories: 1956 births Living people Art Ross Trophy winners Calder Trophy winners Canadian ice hockey right wingers Canadian emigrants to the United States Canadian Mtis people Colorado Avalanche coaches Conn Smythe Trophy winners First Nations sportspeople Hart Memorial Trophy winners Hockey Hall of Fame inductees Ice hockey people from Saskatchewan King Clancy Memorial Trophy winners Lethbridge Broncos players Mtis sportspeople National Hockey League All-Stars National Hockey League players with retired numbers New York Islanders New York Islanders players New York Rangers coaches Pittsburgh Penguins players Roller Hockey International players Stanley Cup champions Swift Current Broncos players

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