Lou Lamoriello
Lou Lamoriello | |||
---|---|---|---|
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2009 (Builder) | |||
Born |
Johnston, Rhode Island, U.S. | October 21, 1942||
Coached for | New Jersey Devils | ||
Coaching career | 1968–2007 |
Louis A. Lamoriello (/læmər.ɛl.oʊ/; born October 21, 1942) is an American professional ice hockey executive who is the president of hockey operations and general manager for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was formerly general manager of both the New Jersey Devils and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lamoriello's tenure as general manager of the New Jersey Devils from 1987 to 2015 was the third-longest by an NHL general manager with a single team, following those of Conn Smythe and Art Ross. Lamoriello resigned from New Jersey on May 4, 2015, and became the 16th general manager of the Maple Leafs on July 23 of the same year.
Under Lamoriello's management, the Devils, who had been barely competitive for their first five years in New Jersey, became one of the most successful teams in the NHL. The Devils made the
In 2009, Lamoriello was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders category,[3] while in 2012, Lamoriello was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
From 2001 to 2004, Lamoriello also was CEO of the
Early life
Lamoriello was born in
Lamoriello was a math teacher at
College hockey career
Lamoriello became
In July 1983, Lamoriello joined his fellow athletic directors at Boston College, Boston University, the University of New Hampshire and Northeastern University in forming the Hockey East Association.[5] He helped produce an interlocking schedule agreement with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and negotiate the first television package in college ice hockey.[5]
Lamoriello was the first commissioner of Hockey East.[5] The conference's executive committee voted on March 7, 1988, to name the conference championship trophy in his honor, as the Lamoriello Trophy.[5] A permanent trophy was commissioned and was presented at the 1999 championship.[5]
On April 30, 1987, Lamoriello resigned as Hockey East commissioner and as athletic director at Providence to become president of the NHL's New Jersey Devils.[5]
Executive career
New Jersey Devils (1987–2015)
In April 1987, Devils then-owner John McMullen appointed Lamoriello team president. Lamoriello named himself general manager just before the start of the 1987–88 season, a move that surprised many NHL observers. He had never played, coached or managed in the NHL, and was virtually unknown outside the American college hockey community.
Over the next 28 years, Lamoriello presided over one of the most successful rebuilding projects in North American professional sports history. In his first season as general manager, the Devils notched their first winning season in franchise history (dating back to their time as the
In 1992, Lamoriello was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy for outstanding service to hockey in the United States. He also was general manager for Team USA in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey[2] (in which the U.S. won the championship) and the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Lamoriello is well known in NHL circles for his hard-nosed approach to contract negotiations. Pat Verbeek, Kirk Muller and Bill Guerin, among others, have been traded out of town after losing contract negotiations. He nearly traded Ken Daneyko, the Devils' all-time leader in games played, in 1989. According to Daneyko, Lamoriello believes in paying a third-line player as much as a first-line player if he feels they have the same value to the team.[7]
Lamoriello, backed by Scouting Director David Conte, is known as a master drafter, showing consistent shrewdness in identifying and signing top talent that other teams were passing over.[8] For example, superstar goaltender Martin Brodeur was a 20th overall pick, while Czech star left winger Patrik Eliáš was drafted 51st. Players drafted in the first 20 picks have been the rare exception rather than the rule.[9] "He hasn't been able to money-whip everybody the way the Yankees do, outspending the world every year. Lamoriello has done what he has done mostly by being smart and tough and holding the whole thing together by himself sometimes," says sports journalist Mike Lupica.[10]
Lamoriello said he studied the game for a long time before starting to manage at the NHL level. The former high school math teacher says that during his two-decade long tenure at Providence College, and later when commissioner of Hockey East, he followed professional hockey closely. When he started with the Devils in 1987, he says he took what he considered to be the best parts of the great teams — the Green Bay Packers, the New York Yankees and the Montreal Canadiens — and using his analytical background, applied them to managing the Devils.[11]
"Lou's a model for our business. This is not just the best run franchise in the NHL, it’s the best-run franchise in pro sports," says long-time NHL executive and former Calgary Flames president of hockey operations, Brian Burke.[8]
Lamoriello has been lauded by
Lamoriello has fostered a "unique corporate culture" that has encouraged player loyalty. For example, Martin Brodeur took below market contracts to stay with the Devils for years, while defenseman Ken Daneyko played all 1,283 of his NHL games with the team.[13] "I like to think of my players as a family,": says Lamoriello. "And I like to think the success we’ve had through the years shows that the players value that as much as they do the Stanley Cups, knowing that the two go hand in hand."[11]
When Lamoriello is asked the key to his success, he says it has been his systematic approach to player development. "It’s the team character this squad has... that you build on. I don’t ever use the word 'rebuild.' Based on my college background, I like to look at my roster as my seniors, juniors, sophomores and freshmen and gauge their development and roster turnover based on players going from one of those classes into the next. You have to build your staff and encourage them to be creative and realistic in their approach—and (not) be afraid to make a mistake. We stress that in drafting, player development, and coaching. You grow from your mistakes. I know I have."[11]
When others are asked what makes Lamoriello successful, his dedication and singular focus on winning are mentioned again and again. Despite public disagreements, both superstar Claude Lemieux and former assistant coach John MacLean returned to the organization because of Lamioriello's "dedication to winning". Veteran Devils defenseman Ken Daneyko says Lamoriello key factors in success are "his winning attitude, discipline and dedication. Nobody works harder".[9]
On May 4, 2015, the Devils announced Lamoriello had handed his general manager post to Ray Shero, though he would remain as team president.
Toronto Maple Leafs (2015–2018)
On July 23, 2015, Lamoriello resigned from the New Jersey Devils to accept the general manager position with the
Much as he did in New Jersey, Lamoriello helped rebuild a previously moribund team. The Leafs had only made the playoffs once in ten years, but rebounded to make the playoffs in his last two seasons as general manager. Notable moves he made in Toronto include drafting Auston Matthews and trading for netminder Frederik Andersen.
New York Islanders (2018–present)
On May 22, 2018, Lamoriello was hired by the New York Islanders as their president of hockey operations.[15] On June 5, 2018, Lamoriello fired head coach Doug Weight and general manager Garth Snow and named himself general manager.[16] On June 21, Lamoriello would go on to sign Barry Trotz as head coach fresh off a Stanley Cup victory, and a subsequent resignation from the Washington Capitals.
On October 21, 2022 Lamoriello became the first octogenarian general manager of an NHL franchise.[17]
Brief coaching stints
On December 19, 2005, following the surprise resignation of
On April 2, 2007, Lamoriello fired Julien and named himself interim coach once again. The firing took place with three games left in the season, when the Devils had the second-best record in the East and were on their way to setting a franchise record for regular season wins. However, Lamoriello did not believe Julien had the team ready for the playoffs.[18]
On December 27, 2014, Lamoriello announced that he, along with Scott Stevens and Adam Oates, would act as co-head coaches of the Devils following the firing of Peter DeBoer the day prior.[19]
Head coaching record
College
Season | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Postseason | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Providence Friars (ECAC Hockey) (1968–1983) | |||||||||
1968–69 | Providence | 7–14–0 | 4–11–0 | 14th | |||||
1969–70 | Providence | 11–12–2 | 7–10–2 | 10th | |||||
1970–71 | Providence | 17–11–0 | 12–7–0 | 6th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1971–72 | Providence | 14–9–1 | 9–8–0 | 8th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1972–73 | Providence | 11–14–0 | 6–11–0 | 14th | |||||
1973–74 | Providence | 14–11–1 | 9–9–1 | 7th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1974–75 | Providence | 19–7–1 | 12–6–1 | 6th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1975–76 | Providence | 14–15–2 | 11–12–2 | 9th | |||||
1976–77 | Providence | 17–13–0 | 14–11–0 | 8th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1977–78 | Providence | 17–15–2 | 12–9–2 | 7th | NCAA First Round
| ||||
1978–79 | Providence | 16–10–2 | 13–9–2 | 6th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1979–80 | Providence | 21–11–0 | 17–6–0 | 2nd | ECAC Third Place Game (Win)
| ||||
1980–81 | Providence | 17–15–1 | 12–9–1 | 7th | NCAA Quarterfinals
| ||||
1981–82 | Providence | 20–12–1 | 13–8–0 | t-4th | ECAC Quarterfinals
| ||||
1982–83 | Providence | 33–10–0 | 16–5–0 | 1st | NCAA Third Place Game (Win)
| ||||
Providence: | 248–179–13 | 151–131–11 | |||||||
Total: | 248–179–13 | ||||||||
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
|
NHL
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G | W | L | OTL | Pts | Finish | Result | ||
NJD | 2005–06 | 50 | 32 | 14 | 4 | (101) | 1st in Atlantic | Lost in Conference Semifinals (CAR) |
NJD | 2006–07 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | (107) | 1st in Atlantic | Lost in Conference Semifinals (OTT) |
Total | 53 | 34 | 14 | 5 |
Honors and achievements
In 1980, Lamoriello was inducted into the Providence College Athletic Hall of Fame.[5]
In 1988, Hockey East named the conference championship trophy in Lamoriello's honour, the Lamoriello Trophy.[5] A permanent trophy was commissioned and was presented at the 1999 championship.[5]
On June 23, 2009, it was announced Lamoriello would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders category. He was honoured during the November 6–9 induction weekend,[3] alongside Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille and Steve Yzerman.
Lamoriello has been the general manager for three Stanley Cup championships, in 1995, 2000 and 2003.
Additionally, as a minority owner of Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, Lamoriello has a World Series ring from the Yankees' 2009 World Series championship.[20][21]
On July 12, 2012, Lamoriello was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.
On September 20, 2018, Lamoriello was inducted as a charter member of the Rhode Island Hockey Hall of Fame.
Personal life
Lou Lamoriello has three adult children: Christopher, Heidi and Tim.
Awards and honors
Award | Year | |
---|---|---|
College | ||
All-ECAC Hockey Second Team | 1962–63
| |
NHL | ||
Stanley Cup champion (as executive) | 1994–95, 1999–2000, 2002–03 | |
Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award | 2019–20, 2020–21 |
References
- ^ "New Jersey Devils History". CBS Sportsline. Retrieved November 19, 2006.
- ^ a b "One-on-One with Lou Lamoriello". Hockey Hall of Fame. April 1, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
- ^ a b "Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2009 Inductees". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame. June 23, 2009. Archived from the original on July 6, 2010. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
- ^ a b c Kestler-D’Amours, Jillian (July 23, 2015). "All the coaches he's fired and other things to know about new Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello". Toronto Star. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Hockey East Tournament: Lou Lamoriello and the Lamoriello Trophy". HockeyEastOnline.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- ^ "Cape League Hall welcomes 10 more". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ISBN 0-8160-4697-2.
- ^ a b Farber, Michael (March 22, 1999). "The Devil's Advocate". Sports Illustrated. p. 38.
- ^ a b Yorio, K. (June 16, 2003). "Messing with Success". Sporting News. p. 14.
- ^ Lupica, Mike (May 12, 2012). "Lupica: Lamoriello keeps driving winning ship for Devils". New York Daily News. p. 43.
- ^ a b c Wigge, Larry (June 11, 2001). "Q&A". Sporting News. p. 43.
- ^ Rick Chere (November 8, 2009). "'Visionary' NJ Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello set for Hall of Fame induction". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ Eric Duhatschek (June 1, 2012). "'Hand of Zach' keeps grip on present". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved June 12, 2012.
- ^ "Lamoriello will not return as Leafs GM". tsn.ca. April 30, 2018.
- ^ "Lamoriello Named President of Hockey Operations". NHL.com. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Islanders relieve GM Garth Snow, head coach Doug Weight of duties". Newsday.com. June 5, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.
- ^ "Lamoriello hired as Islanders president of hockey operations". NHL.com. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- The Star Ledger. Sports, p. 059.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved September 4, 2023.
- ^ "Lamoriello recalls relationship with Steinbrenner".
- ^ "Lamoriello timeline highlighted by three Cup wins".
- ^ Ryan, Chris (August 26, 2016). "Chris Lamoriello named New York Islanders' director of player personnel". NJ.com. Retrieved June 23, 2017.
- ^ "Potter last player from 1998". International Ice Hockey Federation. April 14, 2012.
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from Eliteprospects.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
- New Jersey Devils Rule – Lou Lamoriello. Retrieved July 23, 2005.
- "Providence College Names Tim Army Men's Hockey Coach". June 17, 2005. Retrieved July 23, 2005.
- Providence College – Athletics Director Robert G. Driscoll, Jr.. Retrieved July 23, 2005.
- NHL.com – "The Other Side of Lamoriello". December 7, 2004. Retrieved on his birth December 12, July 23, 1912, 2005.
- "THE LAMORIELLO TROPHY". Retrieved July 20, 2006.