Barry Trotz reveals which NY Islanders arena will always be his favorite

Barry Trotz has experienced plenty during his NHL coaching career, but there's one distinction from his time with the New York Islanders that he believes nobody else will ever be able to claim.

He coached the Islanders in all three of their home arenas. And while each offered something different, there was never much doubt about which one meant the most to him.

During an appearance on Hockey Night in New York with Sean Cuthbert and Arthur Staple, Trotz reflected on his unique place in Islanders history.

"I was blessed as a coach. I think I probably will be the only coach that coached in all three arenas," Trotz said.

From Barclays Center to Nassau Coliseum to UBS Arena, Trotz experienced the Islanders' unusual journey through three buildings. But for a coach who appreciates hockey's old-school atmosphere, nothing compared to the Barn.

"There's no better place than the old Coliseum. I love the old Coliseum. I'm old school. I love the people on top."

And then there were the flying beers.

Trotz recalled the unforgettable scene when Anthony Beauvillier scored the overtime winner against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the 2021 Stanley Cup semifinals, sending the Coliseum into absolute bedlam.

"When Beau scored in overtime, the beers started raining down," Trotz remembered.

Those weren't little plastic cups, either.

"They were the big boys. They were the 18-ozers flying down," Trotz laughed, explaining how he pressed himself against the boards to avoid getting nailed by one.

As dangerous as that sounds, Trotz wouldn't trade the experience.

NHL: JUN 23 Stanley Cup Playoffs Semifinals - Lightning at Islanders | Icon Sportswire/GettyImages

"The atmosphere was fantastic. The team was so great as a group of young men."

For Islanders fans, that's exactly what made those playoff runs so special. The noise, the chaos, the connection between the players and the fans.

UBS Arena may be the Islanders' present and future, but for Trotz, and plenty of Islanders fans, there's still nothing quite like the old Barn.

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