Winningest Goalie in Isles history (at least by percentage) lands coaching job

Steve Valiquette, who played six games for the Isles in 1999-2000, winning his only two decisions, is the new goalie coach at Quinnipiac.  (release below)

Valiquette made two starts for the Isles in 1999-2000, stopping 82 of 85 shots in wins over Atlanta and Ottawa. The more memorable of the two was his 45 save performance in Ottawa, as the Isles were outshot 46-13 yet beat the Sens 2-1.

Valiquette played briefly for Edmonton and then parts of five seasons with the Rangers.  His final NHL appearances came in two relief roles in 2009, when he stopped all nine shots over the two games in his only playoff action.

Valiquette finished his career in Russia last season, playing for CSKA Moscow.  He had spent the lockout season playing for Lokomotiv, the team involved in the tragic plane crash two months ago.

The only other goalie to lead the Islanders with a 1.000 win pctg was "King" Richard Brodeur.  With Billy Smith attending to his father-in-law's funeral, Brodeur, a WHA vet, won his Islander debut on February 28, 1980 in Quebec.  Two days later, he became the answer to an almost impossible trivia question: who was in the Isles nets for Ken Morrow's NHL debut.  He was chased by Detroit in the first period and was never seen in an Islander uniform again.

Here's the Valiquette release:

quinnipiacbobcats.com

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Quinnipiac Men's Ice Hockey Tabs Former New York Ranger Steve Valiquette As Goalie Coach

Quinnipiac men's ice hockey head coach Rand Pecknold has announced that former New York Ranger goalie Steve Valiquette has been added to the Bobcats' coaching staff as the team's goalie coach. Valiquette joins the Bobcats after a 15-year professional playing career that included eight seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL).

"Steve Valiquette is an excellent addition to our coaching staff," head coach Rand Pecknold said. "He has character, a phenomenal work ethic and a great understanding of what it takes to be successful in the NHL.  His NHL experience will be a major asset to our players."

Valiquette, a native of Etobicoke, Ontario, brings extensive playing experience to Hamden. Valiquette has appeared in 46 NHL games, posting a 14-14-3 career record with a 2.36 goals-against average. In addition to the Rangers, Valiquette also suited up for the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers. Valiquette was an eighth round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in the 1996 NHL Draft. Valiquette made his NHL debut with the Islanders in 2000, posting a 2-0 record with a 1.79 goals-against average and a .949 save percentage.

Valiquette was traded from Edmonton to the Islanders in 2004 before signing with the Rangers in 2006. In 2008, Valiquette posted back-to-back shutouts against Philadelphia. In 2009, he made his NHL playoff game debut in Games 5 and 6 of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Washington Capitals, holding them scoreless in the third period of each game.

He also played over 200 career games in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Providence (R.I.) Bruins, Lowell (Mass.) Lock Monsters, Springfield (Mass.) Falcons, Bridgeport (Conn.) Sound Tigers, Toronto Roadrunners, and Hartford (Conn.) Wolf Pack while also playing last season in the KHL for CSKA Moscow.>>

 

Forever1940 is the nom de plume of Eric Hornick, statistician on Islander home telecasts since 1982. Visit my blog: NYISkinny.com and follow me on Twitter @ehornick