New York Islanders have made a strategic addition to their coaching staff by bringing on Tommy Albelin as an assistant coach. Lou Lamoriello, the Islanders’ General Manager, has once again tapped into his network of former New Jersey Devils staffers to strengthen the team.
Albelin, who won two Stanley Cups with the Devils as a player, will be stepping behind an NHL bench for the first time in a decade. He is expected to take on the role of coaching the defensemen following the departure of Doug Houda. However, it remains unclear whether Albelin or Benoit Desrosiers will be responsible for running the penalty kill, a duty that Houda also previously handled.
With a rich history in the NHL, Albelin played under Lamoriello during his time with the Devils in the ’90s and 2000s. After his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and spent time as an assistant coach for both the NHL Devils and the AHL Albany Devils from 2007 to 2015. Albelin then followed Lamoriello to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he served as a pro scout from 2016 to 2018.
More recently, Albelin has contributed to the Swiss national program, serving as an assistant coach in the Olympics, World Championships, and World Juniors. During his tenure with the Swiss team, they secured two World Championship silver medals, in 2018 and 2024.
This addition to the Islanders’ coaching staff brings a wealth of experience and championship pedigree, which the team hopes will translate into success on the ice.
